As the year draws to an end, most of us are preparing for fun and festivities. Alas for many families and chemically dependent people in crisis, the festive season is a time to be feared and from experience, a time that sees alcohol abuse and drug addiction escalating.This is the time that we often set our boundaries aside, believe in miracles and this can lead to the loved one's who are using taking advantage of vulnerable times.Now is not the time to "go on vacation" from recovery from addictions.We at Asiboni Mbala C.H.A.N.G.E.S.see many families at this time of year who go through more trauma than at any time of the year. There is a false sense of "peace" because the family's denial is often intensified as they don't want to deal with the trauma and secretly hope that it will go away. I truly hope that if you are a family fighting active addiction, you continue set boundaries, keep saying no, limit requests for extra cash and get support, you don't need to go through this alone.Limit your own intake of alcohol and take the time to reflect on your own lives and set realistic goals for recovery in 2011. You are not alone, we are open during the holiday period and will try to assist wherever possible. Give us a call.