F-A-M-I-L-Y M-A-T-T-E-R-S This Christmas

Rutland Centre Offers Advice and Support for Families Coping with Addiction this Christmas

6th December 2016: The Rutland Centre has published advice and support on its website for families on coping with addiction over the Christmas period. Entitled ‘Family Matters’, the Rutland Centre’s Christmas campaign recognises the important role that families play in recovering from addiction and sustaining recovery over the Christmas period.

Centred around the words ‘F-A-M-I-L-Y M-A-T-T-E-R-S’ the Centre offers advice for people in active addiction, those in recovery and their families as follows:

Advice for those in Active Addiction and Recovery Over Christmas

• Find - Find your nearest support meetings - Make sure you know where the nearest support meeting is taking place and when.
•  Amuse – yourself. Beware of boredom.
•  Make - sure your phone has credit, Make sure you have phone numbers of people you can rely on and Make that Call.
•  Indicate – Indicate clearly what you intend to do at the beginning of an event- e.g. ‘I am not drinking alcohol, thanks but I’d love a soft drink.’ Be clear and unapologetic.
• Lie – Do not lie to yourself – Remember, there is no such thing as ‘just the one drink’ or ‘just the one bet.’ Don’t test yourself. 
• Yuletide Cheer - Drink something other than non-alcoholic beer or wine. The drinking ritual paired with the smell and taste of alcohol can trigger a desire to drink. Have a mineral, a soft drink, or a tea / coffee.

Advice for Family Members

• Mindful – Looking out for someone continuously can be tiring. Be mindful of yourself and look out for yourselves and other family members at this time.
• Always – Temptation is always around at Christmas. Try to make the house and environment a safe place and temptation free.
• Think – Think about the family member addicted before organising a family event.
• Talk – Have someone on standby who you can trust and pick up the phone to them or meet them if things get tough.
• Engage – There are plenty of support groups available. Know where your nearest one is and engage with them. 
• Remember – Remember, you are not on your own. There are organisations available to support you. Extra sessions and staff are available over the Christmas period.
• Support – Stay strong and contact your local support group for support.