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Cenikor Tackles Holiday Stress and Addiction with Education, Treatment

As we approach the holiday season, those struggling with substance use disorder will face additional challenges. Financial strain, loneliness, and unmet expectations are all contributing factors to increased sadness and dissatisfaction around the holidays. Cenikor, a nonprofit dedicated to comprehensive treatment of substance use disorder (SUD), is supporting individuals who feel overwhelmed.

“As the holiday season approaches, it’s natural for many people to feel a bit more stress,” says Ashlyn Revere, Program Manager of Cenikor’s Community Awareness, Intervention, and Mobilization (Project AIM) initiative.

As a treatment center, Cenikor can attest that the holiday season sees a lower number of individuals voluntarily seeking help, while existing clients are more likely to leave treatment against professional advice. Spending the holidays in treatment, away from loved ones, is a difficult choice for many people. Add additional seasonal stress to the equation and you find people less likely to seek help for their substance use disorder, instead choosing to struggle by themselves.

Ashlyn recommends individuals who feel prone to stress or inclined to use substances, follow three tactics to stay sober and healthy. First, plan in advance for a busy time of year. “We’re all about creating a self-care regimen, planning ahead, and embracing flexibility to help navigate the busy holiday season,” she says. Second, temper expectations around the holiday celebrations. Building up a vision for the holidays sets the stage for disappointment around other’s actions that are out of our control. Finally, and most importantly, ask for help. “It is easy to fall into the ‘I’ll do it all myself’ mindset,” says Ashlyn “but it’s okay to ask for – and accept – help when we need it”.

For individuals who feel that they need more specialized help when it comes to overcoming their substance use disorder, Cenikor is available at 1-888-236-4567 or Cenikor.org/get-help.

ABOUT CENIKOR

Cenikor believes in behavioral health for all. Named a Center of Excellence for SUD by Evernorth, a Cigna corporation, Cenikor combines quality, evidence-based care with affordable services for life-changing outcomes. More than 300,000 lives have been changed in the process.

For more information about this news release, please contact Sara Buckler, VP of Marketing and Business Development, via email at media@cenikor.org. If you or someone you know is seeking treatment for substance use disorder, call Cenikor today at 1-888-236-4567.

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