Christmas is commonly thought of as a season of merriment. If you’re dealing with an addiction, however, it can be a challenging time.

The normalisation of over-indulging in food, alcohol and shopping means there is a sudden increase in potential triggers. And as you spend time thinking back over the year, this can serve as a reminder of how your actions have impacted both your home and work life, which can be very painful.

This year, there are also the pressures of getting through a Christmas under COVID restrictions. Many people’s drinking has already increased in 2020 as a way of coping with everything the pandemic has thrown at us. More people have also had to deal with extreme challenges such as grief, job loss and loneliness as a result of the pandemic this year.

If you have been struggling with addiction this year or want to get information for someone you are close to, the Addiction Treatment Programme at Life Works will be open as usual and the team will be supporting those wanting to start their recovery over the festive season.

COVID-19 Update

We continue to accept admissions into our treatment programmes but are adopting screening protocols through the pre-admission process. In order to protect our patients and staff from the spread of COVID-19, we have temporarily suspended family visits to those with in our services. All patients will be supported to speak to their family over the phone and via video calls wherever possible.

Christmas within Life Work’s Addiction Treatment Programme

At Life Works, everyone has worked together to create a good balance between feeling festive and focusing people on their recovery.

The Addiction Treatment Programme will be running as usual. The schedule will continue with detoxification (if needed), individual and group therapy sessions, seminars and workshops as well as individual study time. Access to 12-step support groups will still also be available over the festive season, even if they are online.

On Christmas Day, the atmosphere is typically very relaxed and will feel like a weekend. The team provide a Christmas dinner, and small gifts are handed out. Like any other day, daily group affirmations take place and people continue with their step work.

Attending Life Works Rehab at Christmas

If you are considering attending the Addiction Treatment Programme at Life Works over the festive period, or would like to enquire for a family member or friend, you can call us on 01483 745 066 for more information, or enquire online here.

Life Works offer a free addiction assessment where a member of the team will talk to you about your addiction and the circumstances around it to find out more. You and your family will also be offered the opportunity to ask any questions and take a look around the clinic. You can find out more here.