Silver Hill Hospital doctor gives advice for people struggling with alcoholism during the holidays
Doctor Amy Swift at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan says the holidays should be a joyous time but unfortunately that's not always the case for people struggling with alcoholism.
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Doctors say with the stress of the holidays comes added stress for people struggling with alcoholism.
Chances are you may be serving alcohol at your holiday get together.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says there are 28 million Americans or one in ten that have alcohol use disorder.
Mental Health America offers these tips to navigate alcohol addiction:
1. Stick to your boundaries especially with your family
2. Keep your self-care routine going
3. Stay connected to your sober network
Doctor Amy Swift at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan says the holidays should be a joyous time but unfortunately that's not always the case for people struggling with alcoholism.
She says drinking early in the day is a sign of the holidays becoming too much for us.
"We could just have a non-alcoholic option anyway. It's like having a gluten-free option or a vegetarian option. You don't know that somebody at your table may be all of the sudden avoiding gluten or not eating meat but you keep it there just in case," said Swift.
Swift says the darkness at this time of year doesn't help. She says to try and find ways to exercise and getting treatment before the holidays is not a bad idea either.
