Home for the Holidays? Remember the Price

Being with the family can be the best of times and the worst of times.  Same with old friends.  If you are a college student or if you have a college student trying to live a sober life, remember the price that was paid to get sober.  No one will ever fully appreciate the price you paid but you.  Not your mother, not your father, not a boyfriend or girlfriend.  You are the only person that knows the price, to the penny, that you have had to pay to get a life free of alcohol abuse or drug abuse.  Who knows the sacrifices you have made, the obstacles that seemed insurmountable but now achieved, and the countless hours you have spent making little changes to your life to be clean and sober.  A rehab center, an addiction treatment program, or on your own – a sober life comes at a very difficult and painful price.  Protect it with your life.  Old friends, and sometimes still alcohol consuming or drug using family, simply don’t get “it” and never will.  Its up to you, and a small army of other people in recovery that can help, to make smart choices.  Don’t let your guard down when you come home.  Do less (party’s, running around with friends) and accomplish more (still clean and sober).

Question and Answer: Holidays at Home with Addicted College Students

Holidays are difficult for everyone. They are especially difficult for people in recovery. College students coming home face the challenges of being in potentially stressful family situations as well as around old high school friends that use and abuse drugs and alcohol.

There are numerous resources, treatment centers, and drug and alcohol rehab programs to consider and plenty of opinions on how to answer this question, but what is most important is having an honest conversation. Sit and talk through expectations and guidelines you have for them while at home. Keep the list short, but be very clear about expectations and responsibilities. They may be college students, but they’re in your home. It’s ok to have boundaries as long as they’re there. These expectations should include clearly communicated consequences. Be prepared to follow through.

If you have an adult child struggling with addiction, think about having an alcohol-free holiday season. Talk about activities that might be good alternatives and what would make them feel (and be) more comfortable and successful during a substance free holiday. See our Q & A blog:  One Drink?

Prescription Drug Abuse

Talk to anyone in drug rehab field and they will tell you there is a definite increase in prescription drug abuse, especially among young adults.  A recent study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reported a 111% increase in ER visits involving nonmedical use of prescription opioid pain relievers between 2004 and 2008.  ”The abuse of prescription drugs is our nation’s fastest-growing drug problem,” said Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Gil Kerilowske.  Many college students and young adults mistakenly believe that “because it’s prescribed by a doctor, it must be safe.”  Simply untrue.  Read up on the signs and symptoms of overmedication with pain pills (NIDA).