Today is St. Nicholas Day, or the Feast of St. Nicholas. This is a popular holiday in Europe. During this holiday, children set out stockings and shoes on the evening of December 5 in the hopes that St. Nicholas will leave candy, gifts, and other fun things for them. This holiday shares much in common with Christmas Eve and Christmas in the United States and other areas.

What does this have to do with our blog? Well, many people say that recovery and sobriety are gifts. Since many people fight so hard to become sober and stay sober, it seems like a pretty important gift that people can treasure.

Unfortunately, St. Nicholas can’t give someone sobriety. People have to give the gift of sobriety themselves. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t have help.

Maybe that’s another message here. Gifts can come in the form of other people. If we’re lucky enough to have supportive people in our lives, we have a real gift. If we’re able to support others ourselves, we could be gifts to these other people.

Am I getting sentimental and sappy here? Maybe a little. But we all know how supportive people have helped us succeed in different areas of our lives. Why shouldn’t it be the same when it comes to substance use disorder?

Supportive people can help others end their denial. By holding interventions and taking other measures, they can make them face the fact that they have real problems. They can also help them find treatment.

Once in treatment, people can also find other supportive people. Addiction professionals have training and experience in their field. They can provide all sorts of support.

These professionals can also help people find additional help after they leave rehab or another treatment setting. Sobriety is a lifelong goal, so it needs lifelong support. Sobriety from substance use disorder is a huge gift, one that many people can help give.