The holiday season is a wonderful time for families to come together. For those in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, it can be an opportunity to spend time with loved ones who would otherwise be forgotten. In past articles, we’ve discussed the effects of losing a loved one due to opiates. We have yet to discuss the importance of being there for struggling loved ones while they’re still in recovery.

For those struggling with substance use disorder, the holidays can be a turning point. They can be used as a healing opportunity, or they can possibly trigger a relapse. As Clif Johnson, Director of Clinical Compliance and Physician Services at Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, Inc. (SEMO-BH), explains.

“It can be [difficult]. It can be used as an excuse to use, as many see it as a holiday to party, with Christmas Parties and New Year’s Eve, but it also can be good for recovery if it brings the family back together especially if it brings those in recovery back together with their children.
With those we have in our centers we do encourage passes and visitation with their loved ones,” Johnson said.

SEMO-BH recognizes the importance of family relationships and incorporates this into their treatment. “We encourage family/significant other involvement from the start of treatment. Many times the family and other relationships are so strained it is difficult to get them to be involved, sometimes they have grown weary of the usage and problems associated with it, but their involvement is key as that relationship can assist in a successful recovery as they can be a support system. Family therapy is just one part of the overall treatment of the individual, in regards to the opiate crisis, we are using medications such as Suboxone very successfully in helping those using this drug and needing to get through the withdrawal without craving,” Johnson said.

“A good number of persons we serve are still on site during the holidays, we provide Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner and have gifts for all the clients,” Johnson said.

If a loved one you know is in the hospital this holiday season, be sure to pay them a visit. It could make all the difference.