In a recent article on Thrive Global, Awakening Co-Founder and Executive Director David Van Der Velde, discussed the unique challenges that people in recovery face during the holidays.
The holiday season can be a precarious period for those who are either in early recovery or who are continuing to struggle with active substance addiction, according to the NIH (National Institute of Health).
For those in their first year or two of recovery specifically – and regardless of the recovery path selected – research shows that the supportive connection and community of peers is essential for sustaining long-term recovery from substance addiction.
He also points out that, for anyone, finding a way to be of service to others within the recovery community will always bring relief, plus it’s a way to practice self-care. Becoming “other” thinking is a powerful way to take the opposite action and get out of one’s own head. Plus, it can often provide the relief needed when tough times arise during the holidays.
Read the article here.
David got clean and sober in 1988 at the age of 19, close to death from his own struggles with drug addiction and alcoholism. Now 32+ years clean and sober, he has been consistently active in his recovery community by mentoring others, serves on recovery and youth related non-profit Boards such as LifeWorks and the West Hollywood Recovery Center, and serves on panels at institutions speaking from his own experience about recovery.
Joelene Knight, is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Grace Recovery, a sub-acute and residential treatment program located in Hollywood, California, as well as a Board Member at Awakening Recovery, a unique life-saving nonprofit that specializes in recovery homes with a long-term, 12-Step addiction solution that creates a lasting change in core beliefs and behaviors.