The professionals at Fairwinds Treatment Center help to heal patients with addiction problems through Dr. M.K. (Khal) El-Yousef's celebrated dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis is a unique form of therapy that involves not only treatment for the physical symptoms of addiction, but also the underlying mental and emotional triggers that often cause addiction in the first place. Dr. El-Yousef is a nationally renowned, board-certified psychiatrist, and he founded Fairwinds because he saw that it takes a holistic treatment plan to give patients their best chance at a complete, long-term recovery.
At Fairwinds, our priority is to help the healing process both physically and psychologically, so that patients can return home to their families to lead happy and healthy lives. Addiction is a terrible and destructive disease, but it doesn't have to be the end of the story. The staff at Fairwinds has seen firsthand how healing one person can heal an entire community, and that's always our highest goal.
If you struggle with addiction, New Year's Eve can be a challenging time. Many people abuse drugs and alcohol on this night under the socially acceptable guise of celebrating the new year, so it can be easy to blend into the crowd while succumbing to your disease. However, it's important to remember that there's nothing more valuable than your sobriety.
Here are some ways you can resist drinking on the holiday:
- Bring a beverage: If you know it will be tempting to sip champagne when the clock counts down on New Year's Eve, bring a bottle of sparkling water or cider that you can drink instead. Keep a full glass in your hand throughout the party so nobody tries to give you another drink.
- Bring a sober friend: It's always easier to stay sober when you're with another sober person, so bring a trusted friend, family member or sponsor to any gathering you attend. They can give you any emotional support you need to stay sober throughout the night.
- Evaluate the situation: Before you enter a party or gathering, try to evaluate the situation on a scale from low to high risk. If you're in early recovery, keep yourself in low-risk situations. This may mean spending the holiday with a select group of family and friends who support your sobriety. If you attend a high-risk event, arrive with a plan in mind. For instance, it might be helpful to arrive early and leave early.
- Know your triggers: Stay aware of how you're feeling throughout the night, so you can head off any potential triggers. If you get lonely or tired, for instance, you might want to pull aside your best friend for a private, restorative conversation.
- Make a list: Before New Year's Eve or any high-risk occasion, sit down and take a little time for reflection. Make a list of all the things that are better in your life thanks to your sobriety, and all of the things you're thankful for.
- Start the day with a plan: As soon as you wake up, form a plan in your head about how you'll stay sober. If you know in advance what words you'll use to turn down an offer of drugs or alcohol, then it's much easier to follow through with confidence.
If you or your loved one is suffering from addiction, contact Fairwinds Treatment Center, one of the premier dual diagnosis treatment centers in the nation. The professionals at Fairwinds are deeply committed to helping their patients through the healing process to a healthier and happier life.
