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drug addiction

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Depression and addiction during the holidays

Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

Woman putting ribbon on gift
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

Lately I’ve talked with two different Christian women friends who shared that they become deeply depressed during the holidays–that period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when so many people are joyful and excited, planning and cooking a big family meal, shopping, buying and wrapping Christmas gifts, and attending or hosting parties. These friends said they just want it over with as soon as possible!

http://www.promopro.com/shopping-tips/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Five-Best-Thanksgiving-Apps-for-Your-Perfect-Holiday-Meal.jpg

Thanksgiving meal

One friend cited the reason being that her dreams of a happy family have been shattered, after her husband left her for another woman, had a child with the mistress, and then divorced her, the wife. Although she makes an effort for the sake of her children to beautifully decorate the Christmas tree and their home’s rooms each year, she said their expensive, nice house feels empty and lonely without her husband there to celebrate  with her and their kids. 

The second friend, also divorced (her husband had an affair and was addicted to drugs), said that she feels she and her children don’t “fit in anywhere” when so many families are sitting together happily around the Christmas tree to open presents. Conversations with her aging, ailing father and her emotionally distant brothers are strained at restaurants eating a “holiday meal,” and she feels that she is imposing, asking to be with friends at their family gatherings.

Source: NDTV

Source: NDTV https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/lift-your-gloomy-mood-up-during-winters-with-these-5-foods-1797440

My friend also wonders if she has Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), related to changes in seasons. Researchers have yet to uncover the specific cause for SAD, but the reduction in sunlight in winter can throw your biological clock out of whack and reduce levels of serotonin (a brain chemical that regulates your mood) and melatonin (a chemical which regulates sleep and mood).

It’s not always “the most wonderful time of the year.” Many people struggle with depression and stress during the holidays.

 While the suicide rate is highest between April and August rather than the holidays, there are findings from surveys that people feel more stress, anxiety, and depression between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, according to Psychology Today.

pensive woman

depressed woman

Thirty-eight percent of people surveyed said their stress level increased during the holiday season, according to Psychology Today. Participants listed the top stressors as lack of time, lack of money, commercialism, the pressures of gift-giving, and family gatherings.

Another poll of more than 1,000 adults by a global investment company, Principal Financial Group, found that 53 percent of people experience financial stress due to holiday spending, despite the fact more than half set budgets for their holiday spending.

As Christian believers, we know that Christmas is supposed to be about celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, yet how many of us succumb to the pressure of spending lots of money on food and gifts at this time of year?

In fact, holiday retail sales in 2018 surpassed $1 trillion, and Americans spent an average of $1,536 during the Christmas holidays in 2018! INSANE! And 14.2% of Americans sell possessions to fund their Christmas shopping! No wonder people get depressed and stressed!

Alcohol. Source: Recovery Village

Whiskey
Source: The Recovery Village

The holidays are a stressful time for everyone. But for recovering addicts, or those struggling with an active addiction, the holidays can cause a relapse.

The same issues of money, family, and general stress are amplified for the addict. Addicts without a stable family or friends often feel alone, isolated, and bored, which can drive addictive behavior. 

Woman at ocean

Woman at ocean

Recovery is possible for the alcoholic/addict. One beautiful place offering treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders is The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake, Colorado, near Colorado Springs.

One thing which struck me about this place is that they have walking trails, an on-site gym for working out, and they offer equine therapy for clients to work with horses.

Equine Therapy Source: McCaskill Family Services, Michigan

Equine Therapy
Source: McCaskill Family Services, Michigan

Their 110-bed, clean, safe facility near the Colorado Rockies with luxurious rooms has a team of medical and clinical professionals to help adults get freedom from addiction and to live healthier, happier lives. They are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. 

You can see a virtual tour of the facility here

If you are struggling with addiction and/or depression, stress, and anxiety, especially during the holidays, consider a treatment facility like The Recovery Village. Other sources for help for you are below. Remember, you are not alone!

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Al-Anon (family members or friends of alcoholics/addicts)

Narcotics Anonymous (substance abuse addiction)

Teen Challenge ( Christian faith-based corporations intended to help teenagers, adults, and families with problems such as substance abuse or self-destructive behavior)

Suicide National Hotline

 

Blog, Faith, Homeschooling, Marriage, Parenting, prayer, Speaking, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

Cyber Monday Christian Books 99 Cents Sale!

Image source: http://hdguru.com/just-announced-new-cyber-monday-hdtv-deals/

Image source: http://hdguru.com/just-announced-new-cyber-monday-hdtv-deals/


Don’t you love great bargains? I wanted to pass on a special, Cyber Monday book deal to you.
I, along with several other Christian authors, have marked down the price of a selection of our Kindle books to just 99 cents!

You’ll find titles ranging from Christian personal finance, to devotionals, to Christian fiction and more. I have four eBooks on sale for just 99 cents!

You can find all of the books available here: http://ordinarybeliever.com/cyber-monday-15

Happy Reading!

P.S. Be sure to check these out :http://ordinarybeliever.com/cyber-monday-15 today, because the price on many of the books will increase tomorrow!

I pray you have a blessed week.

Blog, Faith, Marriage, Parenting, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

The Hands of a Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles eBook for Kindle

The Hands of a Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles Available at Amazon October 23, 2015

The Hands of a Woman:
Everyday Women In Everyday Battles

 

Are you hitting those goals you made earlier this year—or even last week? On Friday, October 23, 2015, my eBook The Hands of a Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles will be uploaded on Amazon. This will accomplish a goal I’ve had TWO years now–to get all ten of the books I’ve written available as an Ebook on Amazon for the Kindle!

This powerful book has eight women’s true, inspiring stories of how they overcame their strongest spiritual battles through prayer, faith in Jesus Christ, and standing on God’s Word. Stories dealing with topics like:

  • panic attacks
  • suicidal depression
  • a bank robbery
  • the death of a child
  • the death of a baby
  • abortion
  • a husband addicted to cocaine
  • childhood sexual and physical abuse
  • a missionary’s child harassed by a demon
  • domestic violence

Whether you realize it or not, every day you’re surrounded by spiritual warfare, even though you can’t see it with your physical eyes. But the battle is real. Satan comes as a thief to steal, kill, and destroy.(John 10:10) 

In this book, you learn about the most powerful weapon you have as a believer in Christ to defeat the enemy Satan–the word of God. It is the weapon Jesus used when he was tempted in the wilderness by the devil. God’s word stands forever! (1 Peter 1:25)

I plan to offer the eBook FREE to you all day and night on Friday, October 23, 2015; then it will be for sale for only $3.99. 

Beth Jones

Beth Jones International Speaker Amazon Best Selling Author

Grab your copy tomorrow at Amazon and please be sure to share about this with your family, friends, and business peers.