Staying Clean During the Holiday Season

By Matthew Null, Referral Development Manager in Gaudenzia's Central Region

Getting and staying clean is a challenge at any point in the year, but especially during the holidays.  It takes total commitment not only from the person with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) but also the loved ones who support them. This season is full of holiday cheer, work parties, wine around the dinner table and lots of temptation and stress to a person in recovery. Here are some ways we can all be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.

Tips for Friends and Family of a Loved One Who Suffers from SUD:

1.       Don’t add to the level of stress

The holiday season is a stressful time. Placing shame and guilt on a loved one to get help will often push them to using rather than actually getting help. The amount of shame and guilt on a person in active addiction is massive. These feelings and they desire to hide from them are often a driving force behind a person’s use. Shame, guilt, anger and yelling will not work.

2.       You might be unknowingly enabling

Enabling is a very complex topic to navigate. Family members generally know that providing money to a loved one addicted to drugs and/or alcohol is not a good idea so might get a gift card instead. Their theory is that with a gift card to a local store or to buy groceries is a wise thing; much better then providing cash. Please know that within seconds of opening the gift card a person can have them cashed into a lesser value of money and use that to buy their drug of choice. Gift cards are not recommended.

3.       Don’t wait until after the holidays to seek treatment

If the decision to seek treatment comes down to whether or not your loved one can attend the holidays, just know that no one wants a loved one to miss the holidays. However, missing one holiday is ok, knowing that then you might have many more to spend with them. Right now it is life or death.

4.       Seek help for yourself

You cannot expect the loved one to get help if you yourself does not get help. If you do not know what to get them as a holiday gift tell them that you went to a support group. An article like this can provide some advice, but it’s not enough to fully prepare you. Finding some help for yourself is critical.

Tips for Friends and or Family of a Love One who is in Recovery:

1.       Be supportive

Creating a supportive network for your loved one in recovery is paramount. Whether they have three weeks or 30 years clean please respect their commitment to not putting a drink or drug in their body.

2.       Have non-alcoholic alternatives, respect their choices

When it comes time to for the Holiday Dinner Toast provide a non-alcohol alternative. Don’t make a big deal about it. Please note that there is a good chance they are stressing over that 30 seconds of a toast. Respect their choice not to drink. Never pressure a love one to have a drink. Even if their drug of choice was not alcohol, a drug is a drug is a drug.

3.       Just be there

Be there for them. A phone call or checking in with a loved one is a wonderful thing to do. If there is an event where there is temptation, go with them. Talking is a major healing modality in recovery. Ask your loved one to go for a walk, help hang up lights, mash the potatoes and just talk. You will both feel better. 

Tips for a Person in Recovery:

1.       Have a game plan

You have stayed clean this long, even if it is a few days, weeks or years, do not let some eggnog take away your clean time. You know your triggers. Be prepared for them and have a plan in place. Plan your holiday. Surround yourself with those who support you. Have your exit planned. If you don’t feel comfortable or starting to experience triggers get out. Stay busy but in a healthy way. In those plans make sure you plan to attend some meetings.

2.       People, Places and Things

If you are in recovery you know what I am talking about. Sometimes it is hard to avoid these things but let’s steer clear of them these holidays. If you just can’t avoid something take help with you. Ask a recovery ally to go with you.

3.       Make new traditions

The holidays are full of traditions. Why not make some new traditions to support your recovery. Okay, in the past you might have been drunk or high as a kite for New Year’s Eve. How about this year you start a tradition to spend it with sober friends?

4.       You’re not alone

You do not need to feel this way any longer. There is help and people do recovery. There is no better gift that you could ever buy your family/loved ones then asking for help and seeking treatment. Make this a real holiday to remember, make it your clean date.

Tips for Everyone:

There is no way to really know who in your life suffers from SUD. So please be mindful of the following:

1.       Holiday Season is full of parties and gatherings.  Be responsible.

2.       If you have any prescription medications you must lock them up and hide them in a safe place. Visitors will ask to use your bathroom in hope of finding some medicines.

3.       Never pressure someone into having a drink. Always have a non-alcohol option. We think of the high school party and peer-pressure to drink but adults are just as guilty.

If you or a loved one needs help or has questions, please go to www.gaudenzia.org and click on the “I need help” or “My loved one needs help” button.

Claymont Dedication Ceremony
Gaudenzia held a dedication ceremony for a new Claymont facility, located at 3901 Philadelphia Pike in Claymont, Delaware, on August 27. Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long joined local leaders and representatives from Gaudenzia, to dedicate the new addiction treatment and sober-living facility.

BRISTOL >> State Senator Robert M. Tomlinson, who is credited with helping to save Lower Bucks Hospital from closure, accepted the hospital’s Dee Brown Lifetime of Service Award during a special fundraising reception held on Nov. 7 at the hospital.

The award is presented to an individual who has devoted admirable energy and enthusiasm to the organization's success. To be considered, nominees must have a demonstrated track record of loyalty to the hospital and its civic responsibility. They must also personify Dee Brown's tenacity for ensuring the best outcomes for the hospital's initiatives.

On hand to congratulate the lifelong Lower Bucks County resident on the award were Dr. Sonia Mehta, the Regional CEO and Corporate Chief Medical Officer with Prime Healthcare; Lower Bucks Hospital CEO Michael Motte; US Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick; State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo; Raising the Bar’s Bill Pezza; Bristol Borough Councilman Louis Quattrocchi; Bristol Borough Manager Jim Dillon; Bucks County Rescue Squad Chief Marty Liczbinski; James Sell, Executive Director at the Gene & Marlene Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks County Community College; Bristol Borough Mayor Joe Saxton; and State Rep. Tina Davis.

Proceeds raised during the special evening will benefit Gaudenzia Inc., which has been helping people in their recovery from addiction for 50 years.

Serving about 17,500 individuals annually, Gaudenzia operates 169 drug and alcohol treatment programs at 101 facilities for men and women in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Through its services, Gaudenzia helps individuals, families and communities overcome the ravages of addiction.

Dr. Sonia Mehta, the Regional CEO and Corporate Chief Medical Officer with Prime Healthcare, joined Dee Brown in presenting the award to Tomlinson.

“I want to take you back to 2010. Lower Bucks Hospital was operating in an incredibly challenging environment. There was an unprecedented downturn in the economy,” said Mehta.

“Lower Bucks Hospital was suffering some extraordinary circumstances with operating losses of nearly $20 million over the previous five years.

“Our honoree,” she said, “recognized the struggle within our community, and the effect on Lower Bucks Hospital” and “took immediate action by helping to pass the Table-Games Bill (Senate Bill 711).”

The Bill legalized table games in Pennsylvania casinos, including Parx in nearby Bensalem, but more importantly for the community provided a new stream of tax revenue to support vital services in the community, including Lower Bucks Hospital

“It’s been said of this year’s honoree, that he has for some time, and continues to, put his whole heart and soul into our community and our hospital,” said Mehta. “Throughout his career, he has been a leader and has earned the admiration of his colleagues and the respect of our community.

“What else can be said that makes this man so appropriate for the Dee Brown Lifetime Achievement Award? It should be evident, therefore, that, from all perspectives and community contributions — Senator Tomlinson has been champion of our hospital and a leader in this community.

“We are very grateful to Senator Tomlinson for being with us tonight and for graciously agreeing to accept the Dee Brown Lifetime Achievement Award. So, Senator, on behalf of everyone here, I’d like to say thanks for being a man of action and what our community needs.”

Added Dee Brown, for whom the award is named, “Many times we were ready to close our doors here, but we could always count on Tommy figuring out a way to find the money and keep the doors open. Plus we had such great employees here that helped us keep the doors open many times and we became a hospital that has saved many, many lives.”

Applause filled the room as Brown presented Tomlinson with the award. “May you enjoy it in good health,” she said.

In accepting the award, Tomlinson said one of the reasons he has worked so hard for the hospital is because of people like Brown and many others, including his own mom, Florence, who dedicated themselves to the hospital.

“It’s you, it’s my mom, and that whole generation. And not only that, this hospital saved my father’s life,” he said. “It’s always had a warm place for me.”

Speaking about the gaming grants, Tomlinson thanked his former colleague Tommy Corrigan for his help in the state house of representatives. “I couldn’t have done it without him. He was a Democrat in the House. I was a Republican in the senate. And many times we went arm-in-arm to get that money.

“We knew that if the hospital was going to be successful it had to retire its debt. So what we did was to dedicate a fund to retire the debt and make the hospital affordable to get into a group of hospitals and survive,” he said.

“The story is, ‘Yep, we got rid of the debt and a group came in and bought the hospital and they’ve done a great job with it.’ I’m happy to be a part of that,” said Tomlinson.

“Thank you, Dee, for you inspiring me and that whole generation. Thank you Tommy Corrigan. And thank you Lower Bucks Hospital for saving my dad’s life and a lot of other people’s lives.

“The thing that’s important is that it’s a community hospital and people need community hospitals. And it’s still doing a wonderful job for the people who live around here. It’s crucial to our area to have this hospital be a success.

“That’s why I went to Harrisburg - to take care of the community,” said Tomlinson. “And because of you, Dee, I really cherish this award.”

State Representative and now Commissioner-elect Gene DiGirolamo said he can’t think of anyone more deserving than Tommy to receive the award.

“And I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that if it wasn’t for Senator Tomlinson this hospital would not be here,” he said. “And I’m telling you the truth because I watched him out in Harrisburg fight relentlessly on behalf of this hospital for a good number of years. If it wasn’t for him and the revenue that he brought back to help this hospital, it wouldn’t be here.

“Tommy,” he said. “You richly deserve this award.”

Tomlinson, a native of Bensalem and a graduate of Bensalem High School and the Bordentown Military Institute, earned his bachelor’s degree from West Chester State College in 1970.

In his younger days he played football at West Chester College, where he was captain of the football team in 1969 and helped the team capture the state championship in 1967 and 1969.

He also played in the Tangerine Bowl in 1967.

In 1971, Tomlinson graduated from Miami-Dade University with a degree in Mortuary Science. He became a funeral director, owning and operating the Tomlinson Funeral Home in Bensalem, a family business established in 1945.

From 1991 to 1994, he served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 18th District. And from 1994 to today he has represented the sixth senatorial district.

The Senator serves on numerous committees, including Transportation, Education, Community, Economic and Recreational Development and Rules and Executive Nominations.

He’s a Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, which works to protect the rights of Pennsylvania consumers and ensures that individuals in regulated professions adhere to the highest standards.

In the past, he served on the Board of Directors at Lower Bucks Hospital.

He is currently a member of the Bensalem Rotary, the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce, the Bensalem Lions, YWCA Advisory Council and many others.

In addition, he serves on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and is a member of the Council of Trustees at West Chester University.

http://www.tiogapublishing.com/news/state/lower-bucks-hospital-honors-senator-tomlinson-with-dee-brown-lifetime/article_0df1f6a7-fdd7-5793-b6fc-b42dec2ec116.html?fbclid=IwAR34qANurFdKZ6oDqcZ_xpkctGWBbTnEWyhN1-usZw1bxBUU1sJmdQgPIiI

Adrenaline was pumping and emotions were running high as New Journey’s coed program and Safe Haven’s 10-family transitional program for women with children moved into the new Claymont building in Delaware.

Sandra Buell, New Journey’s program director said, “Many people have worked so hard to make this a reality. It has taken commitment and perseverance from many to have this day arrive.”

Client comments included "This is fit for kings"; "It feels good here, no dark clouds"; "This is like a 5-star hotel"; and "Even the salad taste better here!”

Congratulations!😊😊😊

Gaudenzia continues to be in the forefront of employee development and entry level job opportunities to replenish our ever changing human service workforce.

Gaudenzia Center for Higher Education grew out of an ever pressing need to replace the pool of entry level human services workers in the fields of substance abuse, mental health and criminal justice services. The center currently has a working relationship with the following institutions of higher learning:

Alvernia University
Baltimore City Community College
Central Penn College
Community College of Philadelphia
Drexel University
Lincoln University
Temple University
Widener University

For more information regarding Gaudenzia Center for Higher Education opportunities, please contact Vernon Hunt at (610) 239-9600 Ext. 1031 or vhunt@gaudenzia.org.

The idea that substance use disorder is a result of derelict, criminal and immoral choice and behavior must be, based on the evidence, exposed as the myth that it is.

It is no longer acceptable that we, as a society do not view this illness as a treatable condition. It does not make sense to view recovery as anything less than a critical public health resource that works because of concrete, proven practice and is a reality for thousands of people in the Susquehanna Valley.

Recovery is not magic and it is not solely for the “fortunate”. Recovery should be the expectation given the proper environment and supports, and our systems of care should reflect this idea. Recovery transforms lives. Recovery strengthens communities, and people aren’t just living in recovery, they are thriving in recovery.

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