Blog post by: Alumni Relations Specialist

Holidays can be a hard time of year for an addict or alcoholic.  In the past, there was always some substance in my body to help me get through this time.  I looked at the holidays as a stressful and used that as an excuse to drink or use.  I don’t have to live like that anymore because I welcome the holidays now.  I look forward to decorating with my kids, buying and wrapping gifts and the chaos of my crazy family dinners. Since getting clean, it has all become a positive thing to look forward to.  I just had to change my way of thinking.  We get so used to thinking negatively or projecting that something bad is going to happen. We just have to think in a more positive way.  If you think negatively, then negative things will happen.  If you think positively, then positive things will happen.  Take some deep breaths, say a prayer and look for the positives in it.  Get involved with your recovery, volunteer your time or make a gratitude list.  Be thankful for all the things that you do have and be proud of how far you have come.