Florida drug rehab facility, Destination Hope, fully understands the stresses the holidays can bring about for a recovering addict. A huge stress factor is that of gift-giving.
Let’s face it, the holidays have been completely commercialized and we are now made to feel like it is bad form to not purchase gifts for our loved ones this time of year. Recovering addicts unfortunately often take their guilt one step further and think it’s their responsibility to lavish their family members with presents, in an attempt to make up for all the damage that their drug or alcohol addiction has caused.
Well, we here at Destination Hope could not disagree with that sentiment more! Remember, being present and sober is a lot. It’s probably a bigger gift than many in your life ever dreamed you would be able to give them – and that’s powerful.
Your friends and family do not expect you to leave treatment flush with excess cash and free time to spend fighting the holiday crowds in shopping malls searching for their gifts. The best present you could give them is showing up and being the son/daughter/spouse/sibling that you haven’t been in a long time.
Anyone who has ever been in or known anyone who has been in a drug rehab facility knows that when you leave treatment or are in the early stages of recovery, you are usually broke. If you absolutely feel like you must give something in addition to showing up and being present, giving acts of service as your gift is a wonderful way to go.
Acts of service are in line with the 12 steps and is a great way to make amends for past wrongdoings. Acts of service holiday gifts can be clever ideas, like a coupon for a car wash that’s redeemable any time, pet sitting, house sitting, babysitting services, making them a gift like a cake, dinner, or a sweater. Really, anything you can come up with that you think someone will appreciate or enjoy.
Kahlil Gibran states: “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.”
Destination Hope is a Joint Commission accredited treatment facility that provides alcoholism addiction treatment and drug rehab for those who need it in South Florida. We could not agree more with the sentiment behind Kahlil Gibran’s quote.
Don’t let the holidays make you feel bad about yourself because you cannot afford to buy your loved ones gifts. Your continued sobriety, renewed presence in their lives and acts of service are more than any family member could ask of you this holiday season. Do what you can to stay true to yourself and true to the program over the holidays and you’ll do just fine. If we can be of any support to you whatsoever, please don’t hesitate to call us.
