Family expectations, holiday parties, memories…all of these can be stressors and therefore triggers that make us think about drinking or using again. The holiday season can really test our wills, but we can keep our heads about us during this time of year and not reset the clock on our hard-earned sobriety. Even if you are not someone who is keeping sober, these tips can help you get through the season without overdoing it.

With the great many self-help books published and readily available for mass consumption, it is easy to believe that a person can systematically “cure” addiction and alcoholism (either their own or in a person they care for) like they would a broken relationship. It would be great if it was that simple or effective. Sadly, it is neither.

Over the last two decades there has been an increase of articles, books, lectures and programs devoted to mind-body awareness. It seems that our culture and generation is desperately seeking to prevent various diseases of the body as well as increase overall daily quality of life. We, as a whole, somehow came to the understanding that we have been “over-functioning” for way too long and many of us were coping in devastating ways. In other words, we want balance in our lives.