For many New Jerseyans, this is the time of the year they’ve waited for. The work schedule finally slows, family and friends gather to enjoy some holiday cheer and the promise of falling snow opens up a world of outdoor possibilities.

But at Sunrise Detox, a “luxury” detoxification center based in Stirling, this is the time of the year we brace for. We find the holidays, as fun and glorious as they can be, somehow trigger deep and dark emotions in many – which is why we are once again seeing a spike in admissions.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, people tend to have more interaction with family and friends. They think back to better times, and mourn the loss of loved ones, from death, separation or divorce. They become disgusted with their addiction to drugs and alcohol and vow to finally make a change. But the symptoms run much deeper than they often think, as our patients are also coping with loneliness, anxiety and depression – a strong cocktail that makes the detox process even more challenging.

Depression and substance abuse penetrates all ages and economic strata in New Jersey. Addicts can be you, your friends, your co-workers, your neighbors. Those who are isolated, either physically or mentally, are troubled by the imagery of the holiday season, as it appears that everyone, but them, is “merry.”

via New Jersey Addicts Struggle Through the Euphoria of the Season.