Tips for a Sober Festive Season

12 Tips for Staying Sober During the Holiday Season

Select tips applicable in your situation, Greetings Aurora Staff

Remaining sober can be especially hard during the holidays.  Family gatherings, holiday parties, and other social occasions can be very difficult for someone who is in early recovery.  Thoughts of past holiday occasions often bring up memories of celebratory drinking, drugs, or gambling. 

Although it can be very hard to get used to the idea of a sober holiday season, especially when other people around you are seemingly having a great time celebrating by using substances or gambling, completing a stay at a treatment center is an accomplishment that you should be proud of. 

Take this opportunity to celebrate not only the holidays, but also your new life of sobriety, which is something really worth celebrating.  If you find yourself struggling during the holiday season, please remember that you are not alone.  Help is only a phone call or meeting away!  Here are some helpful and practical tips to make staying sober easier:
1 Plan each and every day of your holiday season:  Plan to spend the majority of your time with friends and family who are supportive of your recovery.

 2 Find a meeting in your area: Many groups have special meetings during the holidays to share their experience, strength and hope. Check the local papers for a meeting in your area. 

3 Ask for support from family and friends: Those who are truly supportive of your recovery will be happy to help you throughout the holidays.

 4 Have a list of ten people you can call: Make a list and check it twice. Carry your cell phone and list of names at all times.  

5 Don’t forget about regular exercise: Regular exercise is an essential component of any balanced recovery program.  

6 Stay away from slippery places: There is absolutely no reason to ever check out your former favorite establishments.  

7 Create new traditions to replace your old using patterns: Buy a new board game or take the family on a sleigh ride.  Use your imagination, be creative, & have fun.

8 Write out a daily gratitude list: The quickest cure to get you out of the holiday blues is by counting your blessings and being grateful for what you have every morning.

 9 Volunteer your services to a charitable organization: There are many people in your community who are less fortunate than you. You will be helping not only the needy but yourself! 

10 Write a letter to yourself – “How I stayed sober over the holidays:” The act of writing your ideas on paper is very powerful. Write down all the activities and events that will help you have healthy, happy, and sober holiday season.

 11 Avoid H.A.L.T. (Hungry, Angry, Lonely and Tired):  If you are hungry, get something to eat. If you are angry, talk to somebody about it.  If you are lonely, go to a meeting or call a friend.  If you are tired, get a good night’s sleep. 

12 Live one day at a time and enjoy your sobriety: Stay in the moment and live one day at a time. Never mind about what happened or what could happen. Enjoy today. Live today. Celebrate your sobriety!

Source: Addiction Recovery Basics. Retrieved October 7, 2011 from http://addictionrecoverybasics.com/alcoholism-recovery-12-steps-to-stay-sober-over-the-christmas-holidays/

Group Anthem November 2013

The therapists ask the group to write and perform a

group anthem as part of therapy – below one of the

anthems.

Group Anthem November 2013

AURORA

I’m gonna keep the faith

And every day I’ll find a way

Cause I’m stronger than

The fear within

Like a flower in the rain

Like a mountain high

I will touch the sky

I give hope to me

Cause I believe

Like a flame will turn to fire

I’m gonna keep the faith

I’m gonna keep the faith

I’m gonna keep the faith

Aurora deur N.Coetzer

AURORA  deur N. Coetzer

In Bromptonweg is daar ‘n huis      

Die beste wenners gaan daar tuis

Aurora jy is ons lief en leed

Ons wil van geen ander plek iets weet

Met Jesus aan ons sy

Kan ons tog nie meer ly

Want Aurora is die plek

Waar ons aan ons probleme  werk

Soos die drie weke kom en gaan

Sal verlange in ons bly staan

Aurora is die plek waar ons moet wees

Om te kan genees

Kom ons vat nou ‘n hand

En maak ‘n verskil in die land

Aurora jy is ons lief en leed

Ons wil van geen ander plek iets weet!!!

Recovering from Codependency: The Truth About People-Pleasing by Candace Plattor

Recovering from Codependency: The Truth About People-Pleasing                  by Candace Plattor

The term “codependency” can mean different things to different people. Over the years, a number of authors have offered a variety of definitions for this difficult dynamic that seems to affect more people than we can imagine.

My definition is a very simple one: “codependency” occurs when we put other people’s needs ahead of our own on a fairly consistent basis. In truth, when we are codependent, we are also people-pleasers who will go to virtually any lengths to avoid unpleasant conflict with others.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

You are tired of giving and giving to other people, without getting much in return.

You are concerned about the pain and/or abuse that you are experiencing in your relationships.

You feel sorry for yourself, baffled about why this is happening to you but not knowing what to do about it.

You try to convince yourself that the problems you are experiencing aren't really that bad.

“BUT I’M SUCH A NICE PERSON!”

Because codependents consistently put others’ needs ahead of their own, they often believe that they are “nice” people.

“I’m doing what everybody wants me to do,” you tell yourself, “so why do I get mistreated so much of the time?” Indeed, this will be a real dilemma for you as a people-pleaser. If you are codependent, it probably doesn't make sense to you that you are being treated abusively by the very people you are trying so hard to accommodate!

But the truth may be that you are not really as “nice” as you would like to believe you are, because you are not saying yes to everyone else just to be kind to them. Nor do you do more than your fair share of tasks because you truly want to be of service over and over without any kind of reciprocal arrangement.

When you say yes (especially when you really want to say NO), you are actually protecting yourself from having to face the potentially painful consequences that can result when someone is angry or disappointed with you for not agreeing to do what they want you to do.

Even though you are really trying to look out for yourself by side-stepping these negative outcomes, which could be seen as a self-caring intention, it is unfortunately not a healthy form of self-care when it is done out of resistance to unpleasantness.

WE TEACH OTHER PEOPLE HOW TO TREAT US

In order for co-dependence to be part of any relationship, two things have to happen ~ the people-pleaser has to say yes a lot more often than no, and the other person has to not only accept this but also begin to expect it in the relationship. Once that dynamic is in place, it is difficult to break the cycle.

When you say yes consistently to another person, and when you accept any form of abuse as part of any of your relationships, you are essentially teaching the other people that it is all right for them to treat you that way. Although you might not be aware of it, you actually do have as much power and control as the other person does, because all of us can really only control ourselves.

 It is only when you choose to give your power and control to another person that you begin to feel the sting of codependency, because the truth is that no one can disrespect you without your permission.

SHIFTING OUT OF PEOPLE-PLEASING INTO HEALTHY ASSERTIVENESS ~ HOW TO BEGIN

If you are experiencing codependency and people-pleasing in any of your significant relationships (which can include those with parents, children, siblings, spouses, partners, friends, bosses or co-workers), then there has likely been a cycle established in which you have been reacting in a “passive” manner while the other person has been acting “aggressively” towards you.

The healthy balance is one of “assertiveness.” This occurs when both people speak and behave towards each other in respectful ways, taking full responsibility for themselves and their own choices without resorting to blaming, shaming or threatening each other in any way.

But change always has to start with oneself. If you are in relationships that are already entrenched in codependent dynamics, you will need to make some important changes within yourself before you can expect to see any change in the behaviour of those around you.

You can begin by deciding that it is time to learn new ways of being in relationship with yourself, such as treating yourself more respectfully and saying yes to yourself more often. You will also need to become willing to learn how to deal with the negative reactions you might encounter when you stop being so accommodating and available to the others in your life. This will prevent you from reacting from a place of fear in your relationships.

When you are starting the journey away from people-pleasing and seeking a new level of emotional health, you may find that self-help books about codependency can be a great aid. You may also want to check out some self-help groups such as Codependents Anonymous or 16 Steps for Discovery and Empowerment, to find others who are on the same journey as you are. As well, you might want to reach out to a skilled counsellor for help, as you begin to test out new boundaries and healthier ways of relating to others.

THE GIFT OF ASSERTIVENESS

Becoming more real and genuine in your relationships is a gift you give to both yourself and to the others in your life. Learning how to tell people the truth about how you feel, as well as about what you are (and aren't) willing to do for them is an act of love, honesty and personal integrity.

As you learn how to deal with potentially unpleasant reactions from others, you can begin to change your people-pleasing patterns. This is the key to unlocking a whole new world of being a self-respecting, authentic and genuine person in your relationships

Herstellende Praktyke deur Maritsa Ells

HERSTELLENDE PRAKTYKE deur Maritsa Ells

Die term herstellende praktyke kan toegeskryf word aan Albert Eglash (1977), wat dit goed gedink het om te onderskei tussen dit wat hy gesien het as verskillende vorme van kriminele geregtigheid. Die eerste vorm was betrokke by vergeldende geregtigheid, waar die klem hoofsaaklik is om oortreders te straf vir dit wat hul gedoen het. Die tweede vorm het gehandel oor toedelende geregtigheid waar die klem primêr geval het op die rehabilitasie van oortreders. Die derde vorm handel oor herstellende geregtigheid wat gelyk is aan die beginsel van herstel. Eglash was die eerste persoon wat die terme met ʼn benadering verbind het. ʼn Benadering wat die skadelike gevolge van ʼn oortreder se aksies aanspreek deur die soeke na aktiewe betrokkenheid van die oortreder en slagoffer tydens ʼn proses wat daarop gemik word om herstel van slagoffers en die rehabilitasie van oortreders te verseker (Dignan, 2005:94). Herstellende geregtigheid is ʼn vorm van herstellende praktyke. Herstellende geregtigheid is die hoofdoel wat bereik moet word tydens die toepassing van herstellende praktyke.

Herstellende praktyke is ʼn opkomende veld van studie wat mense in staat stel om hul gemeenskap te bou en te herstel. Die sukses van herstellende praktyke mag help teen die koste van misdaad en om hervorming in kriminele geregtigheid te weeg te bring. Geregtigheid behoort nie ʼn problematiese konsep te wees nie, maar eerder ʼn geleentheid om te herstel wat verkeerd gedoen is. Herstellende geregtigheid moet kriminele geregtigheid uitdaag terwyl genoeg outonomie behou word in samewerking met ander velde van herstellende praktyke (Aertsen, 2009:4).

Meeste van die jeugdiges wat opgeneem word in die Aurora Jeugsentrum was al betrokke by kriminele oortredings. Dit is belangrik om vir die jeug te leer dat hul moet gaan herstel wat hul verkeerd gedoen het. Hierdie benadering leer die jeug om verantwoordelikheid te aanvaar vir hul aksies.

TIPS TO HELP YOU STAY OFF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS from The South African Depression and Anxiety Group

· Tell your friends you won’t be drinking alcohol or using drugs. Your true friends will respect your decision and even support you.

· Ask a loved one for help when you are serious about it and ask them to be available when you need them, even in the middle of the night. They can also help you to find a rehab centre in your area and/or attend meetings with you for moral support.

· If you are going through a difficult time and are tempted to use again, don't keep it to yourself — tell a loved one, a friend or a professional.

· Avoid places where there’s likely to be temptation.

· Plan what you’ll do if you are in a situation where alcohol and /or drugs are freely available.

· Don’t worry about how you will manage to stay clean forever — all you have to get through is today.

· Remember that having an addiction doesn't make you bad or weak and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. If you do have a drink or take drugs again, get help as soon as possible so that all the hard work you’ve put into your recovery is not lost. 

Director's Editorial

Director's Editorial

The past couple of months were very busy, both in front and behind the curtain. A very successful fundraising event was held by our “youngsters” who embarked on a project to raise funds for the youth centre. Present at the event were distinguished guests sitting around beautifully laid tables, a very funny master of ceremonies, a well known auctio-neer, guest speaker Juan Smith and a testimony by an ex patient who all contributed to a delightful morning. The event raised a substantial amount of money for the youth centre and we are very grateful for the efforts made by the youngsters in particular and all other staff in general for their assistance.

The AGM was held on 12 June 2013 where one of our ex patients informed the meeting of a miraculous recovery after receiving treatment at 28 treatment centres. Shortly before his admission to the Aurora Centre he was found lying on a pavement and was presumed deceased by ambulance personnel. CCTV footage from a nearby camera showed him being covered and carried to the ambulance. His reaction to the footage is that it is confirmation of being alive! The meeting also noted that the previous financial year was in many respects one to be proud of.

The International Day on 26 June was celebrated by mainly focussing on the printed and electronic media as well as the social media to carry forward the message on substance abuse and illicit trafficking. The theme – “Make health your “new high” in life and not drugs” was received very late, but resounded at many events. I attended a national event held in Kimberley where the Minister of Social Development was the main speaker. A similar event was held for the Free State in Bethlehem.

During April 2013 a Site Verification Team from the Department of Social Development visited the Aurora Centre to determine the Centre’s suitability to implement diversion programmes. We were informed that a recommendation was made that both the service provider and the programme be granted full accreditation for a period of 4 years.

In conclusion we want to congratulate Santie Froneman with 30 years of service at the Centre. This is the second longest period anybody has been in the employ of the Aurora Centre! Thank you Santie!

G.H.J. Kruger

Director