This is the time of year when many people seem to slip up in their recovery, and it is also the time of year when many find recovery as well.  What trips up so many people in recovery to take that first drink that they have tried to stay away from? 

One thing my sponsor told me early on in my recovery is to stay away from slippery places and that would include family situations where everyone is drinking.  I can speak from experience  that being around family members who consider themselves "normal drinkers" can be a real slippery place for the alcoholic who, when in his/her addiction drank with family members on a regular basis.  The family wants you and your family to come over for the holidays but you are afraid that you might fall into old habits and patterns, so what do you do?

 I believe that accountability is very important in order to stay sober.  Talk to your sponsor and discuss the old habits and patterns when you were drinking.  Your sponsor can help with suggestions and ways that you can keep from taking that first drink.  Remember that honesty is now our policy. 

We used to lie about things all the time, even if it didn't have anything to do with drinking, it was habit from all the hours spent in the bars, spinning big tales and telling things that never happened so that we would look good to those that we drank with.  Lying is not part of our program of recovery today.  We tell the truth about things, especially when we feel like a drink.  Stuffing things only keep us in bondage to alcohol.

We understand too that many people get that moment of clarity after a holiday binge, whether they drank with family or in the bar.  They have had enough of waking up and wandering if their car was in the driveway and in one piece.  They don't remember how they got home and their spouse is ready to pack a bag and leave.  Their job is in danger and their bills are piling up.  They just can't figure out how they got how they got where they are.  Cunning, baffling, and powerful; alcohol is no respector of persons.  It kills young and old alike, men and women without discrimination.

During this holiday season, how will you handle those slippery places that will come into your life?  Will you try and handle those slippery places by yourself, stuffing the struggles to stay away from John Barleycorn or will you be honest about your struggle to stay sober and be accountable to your sponsor or someone else who can be an accountability partner.  Will you talk to your spouse about your concerns? 

This is the time of year to be thankful for the relief from drink and drug that we have gotten one day at a timeand  by hard work and through working the steps.  We used to be willing to go to any lengths to get that drink or drug, are we willing to go to any lengths to stay clean and sober over the holidays?  Remember that this is a simple program, but it only works if you work it.