Finding The Holiday Spirit in Addiction Treatment

By Sheila Wells, Behavioral Health Technician, Gentle Path at The Meadows

The most important part of the holiday season is family. That’s what sometimes makes it particularly difficult for our clients to be in treatment this time of year.

Many of our patients are depressed any time of the year they come in for treatment, but around the holidays it especially takes a toll on their minds. Their loved ones are at home and they are in treatment trying to get their lives back on track.

Here at Gentle Path, we have a Christmas party, so that they can enjoy the holiday even if they are away from their families and friends. The guys decorate inside with lights and they put up a tree. We play Christmas music and we have games and activities. On Christmas Day, they get to call the people they love and tell them just how much they are missed.

Though most of our clients feel stressed around the holidays, we make it through and end up having a great time. We show each other support, like family. That is why I love my job so much.

I know it’s hard to be in treatment during the holidays, but you can celebrate anytime with your loved ones when you are healthy and can be the parent, the spouse, partner, brother, and friend that you want to be and need to be.

Our patients often have many regrets about the pain their addiction has caused others, but I see many miracles here. Many of our clients have spouses and partners that love them very much and are willing to work things through and support them through this tough time in their lives. That is what family does. All relationships have their ups and downs, but that is part of growing together.

When you finally get to go home and be with your family, it is just that much more special, because you will feel more like your true self and be able to appreciate each precious moment.