Healthy Recovery During the Holiday Season

For many of us, the holidays are a time in which we surround ourselves with families and friends and enjoy the respite from day-to-day stress related to school or work.

For many others, the holidays amplify mental health and emotional issues and as a result, turn to drugs and alcohol in an effort to squelch the emotional pain.

This all makes it extra tough for those in recovery during the holiday season and a pandemic to boot.

Many states experience a spike in drug overdoses each holiday season, and with the coronavirus keeping people isolated this holiday season, the unfortunate result may be a higher spike in overdoses than most other holiday seasons.

Dr. Steven Taylor, Pathway Healthcare’s Chief Medical Officer for Behavioral Health stated in a recent Washington Post article interview,

“One of the most important things we tell people to do is don’t get isolated, get out of your environment or place where you are using and/or drinking and go meet up with other people working on recovery. Now we have this pandemic, which has literally forced people to do the opposite of what we know helps them stay in recovery.”

There are many resources to help people avoid turning to drugs and alcohol when feeling lonely or stress during the holidays. Here are just a few suggestions:

  • If you’re faced with a life-threatening situation including thoughts of suicide, call 911 immediately.
  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a national helpline which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. The phone number is 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Pathway Healthcare, LLC is a team of professionals committed to providing the highest quality outpatient behavioral care; including psychiatric care, treatment for mental health, drug and alcohol addiction and dependency treatment, and medication management.  

Pathway’s proprietary MAT Plus™ program for addiction and dependency combines evidence-based medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral counseling in an individualized treatment plan intended to meet the needs of each patient.  

Learn more at www.pathwayhealthcare.com.