DON'T BE CONTROLLED BY ADDICTIVE HOLIDAY RELATIVES THIS SEASON

Breaking Free From Addiction.

When I was a young Mom, I recall a friend showing up at my Family Christmas Party in TEARS! 

She was in tears because she had fled from her own family holiday gathering, the get-to-gether ended in violence and verbal abuse like it had done for many previous family meals. For weeks before she would mention that she was dreading getting together with her older siblings, two of which ALWAYS get mean drunk over holiday dinner. I had asked her why she kept listening to all the verbal abuse and exposing herself to those types of encounters, and her response was always, “It’s the right thing to do, family is family.” 

That was the last year that my friend made the choice to suffer through another dangerous holiday meal. Her one brother ended up getting arrested after harming their Mom. This happened after my friend left, she had known how her brother was a violent drinker and did not realize he had started adding drugs which took his anger to the next level. 

After some long talks my friend realized that the best way to help her brothers and honor her own holidays was to set firm boundaries. Her brothers both went to rehab and her and her parents also created a plan to change how they would plan successful holidays without the drama and without condoning the two brothers alcohol and drug abuse. 

They started with a list and worked closely with the treatment coordinator. 

• Gift exchanges would be at a safe public place or over coffee or breakfast in the morning on Christmas Day. For them they knew this would avoid the evening drinking or temptations. 

• If the brothers show up at a gathering and are sober she could stay, yet she also could leave if at all not comfortable. 
• If either one of the brothers show up intoxicated it is agreed in advance that the family not let them in and their sponsor will be notified immediately. Their sponsor’s agreed to this as well in advance. 
• She and her parents discussed this with the brothers so they would understand  the new boundaries beforehand, so they would not be surprised by the new family holiday rituals. 

My friend and her brothers have enjoyed their new holiday celebrations. It took a few steps forward and on a few holidays where the brothers took a few steps back. Yet now that both brothers have been sober for over 8 years, they thank their sister and parents for setting strong boundaries to help them on their road to recovery. My friend also has since remarried and now has her own son and is happy to feel safe at the extended holiday family meals and also free enough to create her own separate traditions without feeling guilty. 

The holiday season is a time where family boundaries often get blurred and many times addictions show up or reappear. This year more than ever statistics show that people are struggling with addictions. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about breaking free from addictions; I have some additional resources for you: 

I have a complete chapter devoted to Breaking Free From Addictions in my new Best Selling book Boot Straps & Bra Straps 'The formula to go from Rock Bottom back into action in any situation!' The book comes with 14 additional FREE GIFTS including a mini e-course on how Addiction Defense. 

If you or a loved one is also looking to get accountability and support to truly BREAK FREE FROM ADDICTIONS: I personally lead small groups and individuals through this process. Learn more at: Breaking Free From Addiction. 

Here is a HOLIDAY GIFT for you or a loved one who is seeking to start the process of breaking FREE from addiction this year: EXCERPT AUDIO: BREAKING FREE FROM ADDICTION 

THE  S H E I L A   M A C  SHOW ‘Answering Real Questions With Real Solutions to Help You REBOOT Your Life!’ Now on NBC’s KCAA Radio & On Demand at most Podcast Channels

HERE are a FEW holiday shows for this holiday season! 

O & O MEDITATION FACILITATOR MARIAM & SHEILA  WINTER SOLSTICE SPECIAL Miriam Magalh?es is a Global Master Coach & Academic Strategy Director & Founder of Universal Studies Language and Leadership Coaching for Success. She is also an O&O Academy Transformer & Palestrante as well as a Tony Robbins Platinum Partner & Senior Leader. [email protected]

INTERVIEW WITH PET MEDIUM MESSAGES FROM OUR PAST PETS. Special Guest Annie Bourke Anne is a Brisbane based international best-selling author and animal communicator/ medium who has had conversations with hundreds of animals living and in spirit to convey messages between them and their people. 

PELLA SINGERS Spin Dreidel Special Guest Harry Askenazi is the owner and founder of the professional acapella group, the Pella Singers. Since 2011, In addition to performing at 100 private events each year, they've been chosen to entertain at Citi Field for the NY Mets, at Google for their Hanukkah party and other cool places! Throughout the years, the group has released catchy parodies of pop songs, one of which was watched over 200k times on Youtube.Their latest was released this week, and is a Hanukkah themed parody called Spin Dreidel, to the tune of Dance Monkey.

THE  S H E I L A   M A C  SHOW  https://www.kcaaradio.com/TheSheilaMacshow.html