Page 5 - SFHN JAN 2022

The Holidays Can Be Difficult

for Those Suffering from Addiction

The holidays can be stressful for all of us, but cise while avoiding alcohol and other substances
they can be particularly difficult for those suffer- will help keep your mental and physical wellness
ing from addiction or mental health issues. The intact.
good news is that with the generosity of our Identify and cut the triggers: Identifying the trig-
community, House of Hope continues to give gers that lead to unhealthy habits is the first step.
those men and women the tools to overcome Cut them or plan to reduce them, including intake
addiction and pursue a life of quality. We of alcohol and other substances, overeating and
reunite them with their families and restore anything that might trigger stress. Avoid discus-
their lives. sions that elicit emotional responses such as poli-
The stories are heartbreaking. Last February, tics or religion. Surrounding yourself with people
after Anna tried to commit suicide, she went to or doing activities that make you comfortable and
jail, lost her job and her daughter was taken happy is a good way to maintain good mental
away. Life had been spiraling out of control BY SUE GLASSCOCK, health and balance in your life.
after years of addiction, and she had hit rock MS, CFRE, CRRA Take care of you: The continued uncertainty of
bottom. Addiction, like most other diseases, the pandemic, paired with economic and civil
progresses with time, and Anna hadn’t realized how consuming crises here and globally, still has the power to increase stress
and dark her situation had become. She was offered a choice to levels. Take care of your physical, mental and emotional well-
either go back to jail or try House of Hope. Her choice to come being. Avoid negativity, surround yourself with positive people,
to House of Hope has made all the difference. With the help of relax and stay upbeat. Make yourself a priority.
consistent therapy, counselors and the community, Anna Life is busy, always coming and going, particularly around
worked hard and was determined to change her perspective on the holidays. We are all looking for our place of peace. We find
life. Now she’s building a new life with her daughter, has solace but some of us can’t. Remember them. They are your
earned her GED and is on the way to culinary school. brother, sister, mother, father, relative, neighbor or co-worker.
Through our programs, we serve hundreds of people in Help us help them get their lives on the right track and return
Broward County, providing more than 25,000 hours of life to their families economically stable and sober.
altering therapy. Our work continues through the holidays, the At House of Hope, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in
ongoing pandemic, periods of quarantine and a myriad of Fort Lauderdale, we have so many stories of success, hope and
other world events. We would not be successful with financial resilience, like Anna’s. For more than 50 years, we have been
support from our donors. Our clients receive structure, thera- giving the men and women in our programs the best chance to
py, case management and support, which are the keys to return become healthy and to lead productive lives in our community.
to sobriety and restore lives. We thank you for your support.
You may know a loved one, friend or colleague like Anna. To
help them or even you navigate the holidays, keep in mind the Sue Glasscock is CEO of House of Hope, a leading non-profit
following: provider of substance abuse and mental health programming in
Avoid big changes, despite the times: During the holidays Broward County. She can be reached at (954) 524-8989
make the effort to maintain a consistent routine, diet and exer- or sglasscock@houseofhope.org.

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com January 2022 5