We’ve hit the time of the season for holiday parties where food and drinks are widely available. But it can be a difficult time for those dealing with alcohol addiction.
Ruthane Durso is the director of outpatient behavioral health for Butler Health System.
“When I’ve done direct work with patients who are newer to sobriety and are trying to figure out when their high risk times are, the holidays are often on that list as a difficult and challenging time that really requires some special handling and special planning,” Durso said.
In an effort to provide support, there will be a 24-hour meeting held at the Sons of Italy in Butler starting Christmas Eve around noon through Christmas Day that will provide an alcohol-free environment.
“Sometimes people would say to me ‘Ruth, I don’t know if I want to go to a 24-hour meeting’ but then I would see them after Christmas and they would say ‘I was very grateful I was there. It was very helpful, very warm, and I didn’t know what I would do with myself,'” Durso said.
Donations of food are being accepted, and you can reach out to the Sons of Italy for more information.