Holiday Trifecta… aka Recovery’s Bermuda Triangle

In recovery circles, Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the emotional trifecta of the holidays.  The stretch between now, Christmas and New Year’s is latent with boobytraps that can tempt us to engage with our less than desirable coping skills (excessive behaviors) that leave us feeling worse off. 

This year, we’re facing an adversary that can be far more threatening to one’s mental health and sense of well-being — and that is isolation.  As the pandemic’s wrath continues to leave a wake of devastation, Americans are being advised to drastically restrict holiday gatherings—even with your nearest and dearest. Humans are social creatures by nature and crave community. If you are in recovery, community is your lifeline—especially during this season when everyone appears joyful. 

Because 2020 has upended everybody’s normal, we invite each of you to reach out and check in our your loved ones. Your friends. Your neighbors.  Express how much you care. Call to say you can listen. Help without asking “how” first.  When we show up for other humans and they can feel us, see us and hear us—that is life-affirming.

Resource Hotlines to keep on hand during the holidays. 

Suicide 

• Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255
• Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-827-7571
• Deaf Hotline 1-800-799-4TTY

Addiction

• SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Alcoholics Anonymous 1-212-870-3400
• Marijuana Anonymous 1-800-766-6779
• Alcohol Treatment Referral Hotline (24 hours) 1-800-252-6465
• Families Anonymous 1-800-736-9805
• Cocaine Hotline (24 hours) 1-800-262-2463
• Drug Abuse National Helpline 1-800-662-4357
• National Association for Children of Alcoholics 1-888-554-2627
• American Association of Poison Control Centers 1-800-222-1222

Eating Disorders 

• Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention 1-800-931-2237
• Eating Disorders Center 1-888-236-1188
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders 1-847-831-3438

Mental Health 

• NAMI Hotline 1-800-950-NAMI
• SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• National Mental Health Association 1-800- 969-6642

Teens Under 18 

• Girls and Boys Town 1-800-448-3000
• Hearing Impaired 1-800-448-1833
• Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-448-4663
• Teen Hope Line 1-800-394-HOPE

Domestic Violence/Abuse 

• National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE
• National Domestic Violence Hotline Spanish 1-800-942-6908
• Battered Women and their Children 1-800-603-HELP
• The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453
• Elder Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-8966
• RAINN 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Grief/Loss

• GriefShare 1-800-395-5755

LGBTQIA+

• Helpline 1-800-398-GAYS
• Gay and Lesbian National Hotline 1-888-843-4564
• Trevor Hotline (Suicide) 1-866-4-U-TREVOR

Self-Injury

• S.A.F.E. (Self Abuse Finally Ends) 1-800-DONT-CUT

Sexual Addiction

• Project Know 1-888-892-1840
• Sex Addicts Anonymous 1-800-477-8191

Runaways

• Boystown National Hotline 1-800-448-3000
• National Runaway Safeline 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
• Laurel House 1-714-832-0207
• National Runaway Switchboard 1-800-621-4000
• Teenline 1-888-747-TEEN
• Youth Crisis Hotline 1-800-448-4663

Homeless/Shelters

• Homeless 1-800-231-6946
• American Family Housing 1-888-600-4357

Other 

• Shoplifters Anonymous 1-800-848-9595
• Compulsive Gambling Hotline 1-410-332-0402