Managing Addictive Behaviour During the Christmas Season

In a perfect world at Christmas time, families gather around the long dinner table, meticulously covered by a silky white tablecloth, expensive dinner sets and colour coordinating tinsel. Bottles of wine are poured as the splendid feast of turkey and pudding are served, and everyone is really excited and grateful. Oftentimes, this is not the case.

Society’s expectation to either host or attend the “perfect” Christmas celebration is an unrealistic one… even damaging. Amongst the festivity and cheer, financial burden, family conflicts and grief can arise, and for people working to overcome dependencies on drugs and alcohol, this can be an extremely triggering time.

It is possible to make Christmas an inclusive event for everyone to enjoy. If it’s your loved one overcoming dependency, support them to evaluate upcoming events and decide if it would be safe for them to attend. If they do, encourage them to remain committed to sobriety and their rehabilitation. Socialisation and eliminating opportunities for your loved one to become socially isolated is important for their recovery. Set an example and show them they can have fun without drugs or alcohol.

The “perfect” Christmas is actually about people feeling safe, loved and heard, and these are all critical in a person’s healing.

Some helpful resources during this time can include:

• Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS): ADIS is a confidential telephone counselling, information and referral service for the general public, concerned family and friends. ADIS also provides information about how to access other services including information about available prescribers and pharmacies. 1300 13 1340
• Family Drug Support (FDS) provides telephone support to families and significant others impacted by AOD. Call 1300 368 186.

Refer to FDS site: www.fds.org.au

• Mental Health triage Line provides referral information and support 24/7 for people experiencing mental health concerns. Call 13 14 65
• Lifeline is a crisis telephone support service available 24/7. Phone 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline provides free, confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for people aged 5 to 25. Phone 1800 551 800.