Professionals recommend:
Planning ahead, assessing each case and taking action together with the person and their family.
Keeping substance use at gatherings to a minimum.
Respecting the patient’s own pace.
Avoiding comments that play down the problem.
Practising empathy and support.
Addiction is an illness, and feeling supported rather than singled out can make the difference between staying in treatment or starting it. Christmas can also stir up sadness and difficult memories, which makes emotional support from the family a key factor.
