Christmas is a happy time for many people. Was it a happy time for me growing up in an alcoholic home? The answer is yes and no.

Yes, because school was out. Yes, because I loved the Christmas carols, gifts under the tree, visiting my relatives. Yes, because of church celebrations and all the colourful Christmas lights. On the other hand, it was not a happy time despite the Christmas fun. I often sensed an emptiness inside and had feelings of being disconnected.

My parents were alcoholics. They were the opposite of SA国际影视传媒渉elicopter parents.SA国际影视传媒� They did not hover over us, planning our every move. Quite the opposite. In those days, children were supposed to be SA国际影视传媒渟een and not heard.SA国际影视传媒� This was both positive and negative. Let me explain.

As kids, we were usually outside building a snow fort, or at the skating rink or racing our toboggans down a hill. We learned to be independent, and we had fun. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the positive part. But the adult world was not connected to our play world. Even though they were around the house, my alcoholic parents were emotionally absent. We didnSA国际影视传媒檛 connect. That was the negative part. 

I got married when I was 20 years old. My wife also came from an alcoholic home. Her father was violent and abusive. Then her mother left; she fled the violence to save her life. The good news is our parents SA国际影视传媒渕ellowed outSA国际影视传媒� as they got older. For health reasons, my parents managed to moderate their drinking. They made great grandparents and for that I am grateful. As for me, after entering a program, getting help from Alcoholics Anonymous and my Higher Power, I started to recover from the trauma of my disconnected past.

Don't isolate

For some alcoholics, Christmas is not a happy time. But hereSA国际影视传媒檚 more good news. Anyone can learn to reconnect and start to live a happier life. Recovery from trauma and addiction is always possible with the support of others.

We can let go of the trauma. We can let go of the anger. We can let go of the past. We can heal and learn to celebrate the present. In a nutshell, recovery is disconnecting from the old and connecting to the new. And that is what Christmas is all about.   

At Christmas, we connect with our loved ones. Families and friends will travel back home to connect with parents and grandparents. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 important to remember those who still struggle with addictions. It may be necessary to put away the booze for the sake of those in recovery. And they may need extra emotional support.

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 important for addicts and alcoholics not to isolate. Many places have community Christmas feasts where alcohol and drugs are prohibited. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 great news!
It is possible to have fun and celebrate without abusing alcohol or drugs. ISA国际影视传媒檓 not talking about drinking in moderation. But alcoholics, because theySA国际影视传媒檙e alcoholics, usually canSA国际影视传媒檛 drink in moderation. As they say in Alcoholics Anonymous, SA国际影视传媒淥ne drink is too many, and 100 drinks are not enough.SA国际影视传媒�

Friends and family need to respect those in recovery and not insist they drink or take drugs to be part of the fun. Getting support from loved ones and from the community is a great Christmas gift to those in recovery.  

A great gift for our children would be to have sober parents this Christmas. Children need healthy emotional connections to their parents and grandparents. Laughing and playing together, telling stories and celebrating together is important. Those are great gifts for any child at anytime.

A great gift an alcoholic or addict can give themselves is the gift of recovery. When an alcoholic or addict quits, miracles begin to happen. They get jobs. They pay the bills. They often learn new skills or go back to school. They connect with friends and family. They connect to their children and grandchildren. They can also connect to their cultural traditions and find a spiritual way of life.

The gift of sobriety brings positive connections. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 almost miraculous!

Steps to get help

Christmas is about miracles. Miracles can happen, no matter how long someone has been drinking or drugging. But it takes certain steps to get help. I have seen the miracle of sobriety change peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 lives. Maybe this Christmas a miracle is waiting for you to take those first steps and connect to a program. 
On that first Christmas Eve, the Creator connected with humanity in a special way. He sent a baby born in Bethlehem. To some, that baby became a prophet. To others, he was a wisdom teacher. To others, he was the Son of God. Whatever one believes, most of us can agree there was something special about that baby born in a manger. He changed history. And it was reported he worked miracles and changed lives. Now thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a Higher Power if youSA国际影视传媒檙e looking for one. 

Let's hope and pray everyone has a happy Christmas. LetSA国际影视传媒檚 pray all children will be loved. LetSA国际影视传媒檚 pray everyone will connect in healthy ways and share in the happiness of the season. And letSA国际影视传媒檚 pray for peace: peace in our hearts, peace in our families and peace in our world.

Stay safe. Stay sober. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Quyanainni. Mahsi. Meegwetch.