Recovering from drug or alcohol addiction can be challenging at the best of times. However, for those in recovery, the holidays often represent the danger of relapse. In this article we take a look at how it is possible to enjoy the Holidays’ festivities without risking your sobriety.

There is a strong relationship between alcohol dependence and mental health issues. Sometimes, a persona can use alcohol to lessen the distressing symptoms of a mental illness like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.

There comes a point in all our lives when we experience the loss of someone we love and care about deeply. For some, the overwhelming feelings of grief and loss that follow bereavement can trigger a return to destructive addictive behaviors. An inability to express clearly what someone is thinking and feeling, particularly when they’re not able to process those thoughts and feelings themselves, can result in a need to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.