"The Mansion" never had it so good and so bad at the same time! Bunny Gangster Halloween Costume includes underwire top, matching gartered skirt, headpiece and cuff accessories.. 4PC Playboy Gangster Bunny Sexy Halloween Party Costume.Includes UnderwireAs the holidays approach, good memories can inspire hopeful expectations. For many residents, friend and family gatherings for food, gifts and parties encourage us to look forward to the coming days of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. Yet, how we celebrate these events might well determine whether, or not, we are able to maintain memories that we will want to keep.
"The holidays are seen as a family time, and should be viewed as such," stated Tim Brown, Associate Clinical Director for Community Counseling Services in Bucyrus. As we gather for these holidays, Brown sends out the reminder that "Alcohol and drug abuse doesn't mix with this."
Unfortunately, the celebrations become an excuse to drink too much, or to misuse drugs.
Tim Brown explained that some say, 'I'll drink because it's Christmas' or 'I'll drink because it's New Years.'" Connecting the dots of substance abuse, Brown concluded, "You might as well say, 'I'll drink because it's Monday!'"
Friends and family can play a part in helping their loved ones stay sober by welcoming everyone at the parties into the activities, and by not serving alcohol. However, each person must also accept his or her responsibility in the next days.
CCS Substance Abuse Counselor, Tammy Burkett, offered several practical tips for staying sober through the holidays:
"Be wary of the people and the places where drunken experiences have occurred before."
"Find alternative ways to celebrate the holidays that will not include alcohol.
Take time over the next weeks to evaluate what the holidays mean, and what significance they should have. Attending a holiday church service, for instance, might help in these decisions.
If a person is early on in his or her recovery, find an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting to attend.
Do not adopt a negative frame of mind about celebrating in general; rather, celebrate the progress made in recovery to this point.
Pay attention to the "triggers." Be alert to songs, places, emotions or events that will provide an excuse to drink.
When a person begins realizing the need to cut down on drinking, or is wondering if he or she has a problem with alcohol, it is time to seek advice.
CONTACT Crawford County is ready to help people through these issues. They can be reached, anytime, at (419) 562-9010, 468-9081, or at (800) 755-9010. Community Counseling Services is also available to the residents of Crawford County to help find answers to these questions at (419) 562-2000.
Jonathan Suter is the Public Relations Officer for Community Counseling Services in Bucyrus, Ohio. CCSI is a private, non-profit organization which has existed for the sole purpose of providing high quality, professional outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatments for the persons and the families of Crawford and Marion counties.
