By Sue Glasscock, MS, CFRE, CRRA
The holidays can be stressful for all of us, but they can be particularly difficult for those suffering from addiction or mental health issues. The good news is that with the generosity of our community, House of Hope continues to give those men and women the tools to overcome addiction and pursue a life of quality. We reunite them with their families and restore their lives.
The stories are heartbreaking. Last February, after Anna tried to commit suicide, she went to jail, lost her job and her daughter was taken away. Life had been spiraling out of control after years of addiction, and she had hit rock bottom. Addiction, like most other diseases, progresses with time, and Anna hadn’t realized how consuming and dark her situation had become. She was offered a choice to either go back to jail or try House of Hope. Her choice to come to House of Hope has made all the difference. With the help of consistent therapy, counselors and the community, Anna worked hard and was determined to change her perspective on life. Now she’s building a new life with her daughter, has earned her GED and is on the way to culinary school.
Through our programs, we serve hundreds of people in Broward County, providing more than 25,000 hours of life altering therapy. Our work continues through the holidays, the ongoing pandemic, periods of quarantine and a myriad of other world events. We would not be successful with financial support from our donors. Our clients receive structure, therapy, case management and support, which are the keys to return to sobriety and restore lives.
You may know a loved one, friend or colleague like Anna. To help them or even you navigate the holidays, keep in mind the following:
Avoid big changes, despite the times: During the holidays make the effort to maintain a consistent routine, diet and exercise while avoiding alcohol and other substances will help keep your mental and physical wellness intact.
Identify and cut the triggers: Identifying the triggers that lead to unhealthy habits is the first step. Cut them or plan to reduce them, including intake of alcohol and other substances, overeating and anything that might trigger stress. Avoid discussions that elicit emotional responses such as politics or religion. Surrounding yourself with people or doing activities that make you comfortable and happy is a good way to maintain good mental health and balance in your life.
Take care of you: The continued uncertainty of the pandemic, paired with economic and civil crises here and globally, still has the power to increase stress levels. Take care of your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Avoid negativity, surround yourself with positive people, relax and stay upbeat. Make yourself a priority.
Life is busy, always coming and going, particularly around the holidays. We are all looking for our place of peace. We find solace but some of us can’t. Remember them. They are your brother, sister, mother, father, relative, neighbor or co-worker. Help us help them get their lives on the right track and return to their families economically stable and sober.
At House of Hope, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in Fort Lauderdale, we have so many stories of success, hope and resilience, like Anna’s. For more than 50 years, we have been giving the men and women in our programs the best chance to become healthy and to lead productive lives in our community. We thank you for your support.
Sue Glasscock is CEO of House of Hope, a leading non-profit provider of substance abuse and mental health programming in Broward County. She can be reached at (954) 524-8989 or sglasscock@houseofhope.org.
