Christmas is a dangerous time for many people. Their vulnerability to the life-threatening condition addiction becomes more exposed. The Christmas spirit all too often has an alcoholic flavour to it. For people who are mired in the miserable throes of alcohol and drug dependence or struggling to free themselves from it, the bells are not so much jingling as jangling alarmingly and, in some cases, even tolling.

Families, too, can dread this time of year because they can see what is going to happen to one or more of their number...again. There are children, Mums, Dads, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins and friends even now anxiously preparing how they are going to cope with the family secret which everyone knows about but feels powerless to address. There will be that excruciatingly embarrassing behaviour, the falling down stupidity, the loud and pathetic posturing, the breakage’s, the unpredictable absences, the arguments made ugly with anger and even violence. There will be the greater risk of child abuse in all its forms.

Our treatment and recovery services like Clouds House, Hope House and SHARP community programmes provide safety at a time like this. The atmosphere of support and care, which we try to create all year round, is further enhanced at Christmas. It may surprise people to know just how much warmth, openness and fun can be generated without the toxic fuel of alcohol and drugs. The atmosphere will be special. It will be full of real hope.

Nick Barton
CEO