For all who are working a program of recovery, Pace Recovery Center would like to commend you for making it through the holiday season without having to use a drink or drug. We know that New Year’s Eve consists of people around the globe consuming copious amounts of alcohol, which cause people in recovery to crave alcohol or other mind altering substances. The temptation to drink can be strong.
Every New Years, sadly, a number of people do end up relapsing, often the result of not staying focused on one’s program and forgetting that recovery comes first – always. However, those who may have relapsed need to pick themselves back up with haste, lest they make a bad situation even worse. Relapse is not a rare phenomenon, especially during the major holidays, and what’s required is that you re-commit yourself to the program. Call your sponsor, and get to a meeting as soon as possible. Don’t let a relapse cause you to lose faith in the program, the program works, you probably need to make some adjustments in how you work the program.
On another note, there are a number of people who have made giving up alcohol and/or drugs their New Year’s resolution. Hopefully that goal is not fleeting, and you are willing to take certain steps to make sobriety a reality. There is probably a 12-step meeting close to where you live that you can attend. It’s likely that you know somebody in recovery, give them a call; there is a great chance that they would be willing to accompany you to a meeting. The hand of recovery will always be there if you reach for help.
While attending 12-Step meetings is one way to begin, there are some people who need more help at the beginning. Withdrawing is extremely difficult, and the pain and/or cravings that some experience will drive people to use before they get to the other side of a detox. In some cases detoxification can be medically dangerous, many people are at risk of seizures, especially if you have been using benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin or Xanax.
If you believe that you require medical assistance, followed by residential treatment, please contact Pace Recovery Center. We can assist you in finding recovery, and help you learn how to maintain continued sobriety.
