Members of the family gather to celebrate the holiday season. It becomes quite difficult to deal with a member of the family who is an active addict. You may be confused whether or not to make the addict take part in the celebrations. The addict could refuse such an invitation and may not want to join the family in celebrating during the holidays so families ought to be prepared for that.
The situation will determine whether the active addict should be included or not. It will be wise not to include the active user in a family gathering if they are a threat to others or themselves. An addict will be motivated to change after they experience the consequences of their addiction. Not allowing the addict to take part in the social gathering could make them experience feelings of depression and loneliness. It is good to communicate expectations of behaviors and boundaries if you wish that this family member takes part in the celebration. You have to act if the individual doesn’t respect these guidelines so as to avoid condoning such behavior.
Families usually feel obliged to make an intervention during the holidays. This is usually due to the presence of the whole family, especially if they see the addict using. During this time of the year, active addicts often increase their levels of substance abuse. This proves to be scary times for the addict’s family who are witnesses to the addiction and dangerous times for the addict as well. Even though the holidays may seem a good time to hold an intervention, it is advisable to look for professional assistance or guidance before you confront the addict. You will get good advice from a professional on how to make the intervention very successful.
