The Casper Journal :: Casper's Community Newspaper

This time of year, the alcohol flows like water as people get ready to celebrate the dawning of a new year.

For those recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, however, the holidays are an especially difficult time of the year.

“Everywhere you turn on TV, movies, etc. … everyone makes it seem like you have to be drinking to have a good time,” wrote one woman, whose husband is a recovering alcoholic. “We know that isn't true, but it doesn't make things easier either.”

John, a recovering alcoholic who has been sober for 10 years, said there “definitely are troubling times for freshly recovering alcoholics around this season.”

New Year’s Eve has become a designated day for binge drinking over the years, but for many people, that isn’t an option. Fortunately for a lot of recovering alcoholics and addicts in Casper, there are alternatives to drinking on New Year’s Eve.

The 12-24 Club, 136 W. Eighth St., is open 24 hours a day throughout the holidays for anybody who needs to go there. Anyone who is recovering from an addiction and just needs a place to go is welcome. You can find out more about the 12-24 Club by calling 237-8035.

Alcoholics Anonymous will continue to hold regular meetings throughout the holidays. On New Year’s Eve, in particular, a book study is scheduled at 6 p.m. at the 12-24 Club.

A closed meeting for AA members only will follow at 8 p.m. Another meeting also is scheduled at 8 p.m. at 328 E. “A” St.

For more information on Alcoholics Anonymous, call 266-9578.

A close friend of mine has been battling with alcohol for several years; it’s not an easy fight. He gave me the following words of wisdom:

“The first thing an alcoholic must do every day is start the day right as soon as you wake up. I thank God each morning for waking up sober and thank Him for the countless blessings he has given to me.

“I ask each morning to give me the strength to fight the devil's ways, like anxiety, fear, anger, boredom, selfishness and impatience. Those six things can bring any alcoholic to relapse very quickly, if you concentrate on them too long.”

It’s a difficult and stressful time of year for many people, but very few of us can relate to what recovering alcoholics and addicts are going through.

Thanks to the help of some wonderful local groups, these difficult times can be a little more tolerable for those who need our help.

Print this story | Email this story

Add Your Comments Here:

To submit your comment you must enter your name, comment, and the letters and/or numbers from the Image Verification box. This is a feature to help protect against spam.

Casperjournal.com encourages readers to engage in civil conversation with their neighbors. We will never edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to remove comments that violate our code of conduct.

Potentially libelous statements.
Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
Personal attacks, insults, or threats.
Commercial product promotions or consumer complaints.

Click here to report offensive or inappropriate comments. The comments below are from readers of casperjournal.com and in no way represent the views of The Casper Journal or Lee Enterprises.