Patricia used to approach the holidays with an overwhelming sense of dread, because she never knew what her alcoholic brother might do to ruin them. As Thanksgiving floral arrangements gave way to sparkling Christmas ornaments and the drone of holiday music, her stomach would clench more each day and her mood would grow darker.
“Some years [...]
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The holidays are intense times of extremes. Emotions often travel the continuum from joy to dread. We are happier or lonelier or more anxious or overwhelmed than at other times of the year. Office parties, family gatherings, and social outings are laden with rich foods and powerful personalities. For the millions of Americans who struggle [...]
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When you think about it, New Year’s resolutions are out of sync with the “take it one-day-at-a-time” Twelve Step philosophy. At the old year’s end, we promise ourselves that next year, we will be better, do more, and eat less. We strive for improvement, even perfection, thinking that we will be happy and content if [...]
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In essence, the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are about giving and receiving. Reflecting on this can give people in recovery from alcoholism and other drug addiction a new perspective on the steps — one that returns holiday ideals to a spiritual basis.
What recovering people receive through working the steps is a far- reaching gift, [...]
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Most people know the holidays can be a period of emotional highs and lows. Loneliness, anxiety, happiness and sadness are common feelings, sometimes experienced in startling succession. The bad news is the holiday blues can trigger relapse for people recovering from alcoholism and other drug addiction. The good news is the blues can be remedied [...]
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There’s a story sometimes told by members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): A mountain climber stumbles off the edge of a cliff. He manages to break his fall by grabbing a branch on a tree that overlooks the ravine. Hanging for his life, he calls up to heaven. “If there’s anybody up there, help me– please!”
A [...]
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The new year is a traditional time for making resolutions. This, we tell ourselves, will be the year we eat less, exercise more, work less but earn more money, read more, or accomplish some other external goal. But once-a-year resolutions can be a recipe for disappointment.
“For me, New Year’s resolutions are about willpower, but Alcoholics [...]
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The holidays are a time of giving and receiving, exchanging good wishes, and looking forward to a brighter year ahead.
But for someone trapped in a cycle of addiction to alcohol and other drugs, the holidays can be a nightmare. Family arguments and the financial chaos that often results from addiction can make the holidays a [...]
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As a child, Joan recalls Christmas was a very special time of year, full of peace and gratitude. It was a time of religious celebration. It was a time of giving and receiving, a time of happiness for everyone in her family.
“I can’t remember ever having had a bad Christmas,” she said.
But the bliss of [...]
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In describing alcoholism, the authors of “Alcoholics Anonymous” ask us to imagine a person with a passion for jaywalking. This person lives for the thrill of skipping out in front of fast-moving vehicles. Friendly warnings do not dissuade him. Eventually he runs out of luck and is injured. He promises his family he’ll stop jaywalking.
One [...]
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