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The Turning Point Center of Chittenden County

The Turning Point Center of Chittenden County

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5 Tips for Staying Sober through the Holidays

December 5, 2022 By TPCCC

Selfie in glass Christmas ornamentGetting through the holidays can be difficult for anyone new to sobriety.  Here are five tips on how to get through the holidays without using.   

1.  Avoid triggers:  Turn off the news, including electronic devices, and do your best to stay out of any family drama for five extra minutes per day. Just reminding yourself that these can be these triggers for you can be very helpful, especially over the holidays. Find a way to step outside, take a few deep breaths, maybe go for a brisk walk.

2.  Let go of false perceptions: The holidays can bring out anxiousness, even fears for many people. There’s the expectation about having the perfect setting, the perfect gifts, the perfect family – the kind you see in idyllic seasonal advertisements. This is not the how things in the real world are, how real families are. And that’s okay. Getting through the day sober, being kind to yourself as well as your family can be enough to weather Thanksgiving Day, Christmas day or any day.  

3.  Have an Escape Route:  If there is a social event you can’t avoid go a little later, leave a little earlier and bring a sober friend if possible.  Always make sure if you came by car that the car is not blocked in when you need to leave.

4.  Keep Sober Numbers on Speed Dial:  Calling another sober person is one of the best ways to get help on a moment’s notice, when you need it most. If you are newly sober or your family doesn’t “get it,” it’s good to know that most communities have support lines available.  Chittenden County, for example,  has AA and NA hotlines answered by local people.  If you are in the area, add these numbers to your contact list: Burlington, Vt., AA Hotline 802-447-1285.  Burlington, Vt., NA Hotline: Hotline 802-862-4516

5.  Visit a Local Recovery Center: Many communities have recovery centers open daily that provide a safe, sober oasis. Burlington, Vt., has the Turning Point Center of Chittenden County.  TPCCC is open daily with recovery coaches, meetings, family support, yoga and more. And Turning Point Center of Chittenden County is open and staffed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Finally, if you are not sober yet, maybe this year you can give  yourself the biggest gift of all:  A safe way to start your journey toward sobriety. Need a bed? Call Act 1 at the Howard Center: 802-488-6000.

Never give up on yourself. Never.

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Now open on weekends and our normal hours of operation are from 9:00am-5:00pm 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Call the Center at 802.861.3150 or knock on the window by the Center’s front door.

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We are open virtually. Please explore our website for virtual activities and Zoom meetings.

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You can also visit our Staff page to write for support.

2023 May

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Events for April

30th

Yoga class at Turning Point Center of Chittenden County
9:15 am - 10:00 am

In-person yoga class

Events for May

1st

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

NA logo
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

NA Beautiful Addicts (Noon Mondays)

Entrance sign to the Turning Point Center
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

All Recovery: Medication Assisted Treatment

Events for May

2nd

Celebrate Recovery
9:30 am - 10:30 am

Celebrate Recovery: Breaking Chains

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Parents in Recovery: Drop-In

Metal folding chair
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

AA Way of Life

NA logo
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

NA Beautiful Addicts

Refuge Recovery
6:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Refuge Recovery

Events for May

3rd

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Reiki – 30 minute sessions

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

Families coping
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Families Coping with Addiction

Events for May

4th

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Crafting with Compassion

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

NA logo
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

NA Good Vibes

Events for May

5th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

Events for May

6th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Events for May

7th

Yoga class at Turning Point Center of Chittenden County
9:15 am - 10:00 am

In-person yoga class

Events for May

8th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

NA logo
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

NA Beautiful Addicts (Noon Mondays)

Entrance sign to the Turning Point Center
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

All Recovery: Medication Assisted Treatment

Events for May

9th

Celebrate Recovery
9:30 am - 10:30 am

Celebrate Recovery: Breaking Chains

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Parents in Recovery: Drop-In

Metal folding chair
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

AA Way of Life

NA logo
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

NA Beautiful Addicts

Refuge Recovery
6:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Refuge Recovery

Events for May

10th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Creative Writing

Families coping
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Families Coping with Addiction

Events for May

11th

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Crafting with Compassion

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

NA logo
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

NA Good Vibes

Events for May

12th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

Events for May

13th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Events for May

14th

Yoga class at Turning Point Center of Chittenden County
9:15 am - 10:00 am

In-person yoga class

Events for May

15th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

NA logo
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

NA Beautiful Addicts (Noon Mondays)

Entrance sign to the Turning Point Center
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

All Recovery: Medication Assisted Treatment

Events for May

16th

Celebrate Recovery
9:30 am - 10:30 am

Celebrate Recovery: Breaking Chains

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Parents in Recovery: Drop-In

Metal folding chair
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

AA Way of Life

NA logo
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

NA Beautiful Addicts

Refuge Recovery
6:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Refuge Recovery

Events for May

17th

11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Reiki – 30 minute sessions

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Creative Writing

Families coping
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Families Coping with Addiction

Events for May

18th

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Crafting with Compassion

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

NA logo
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

NA Good Vibes

Events for May

19th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

Events for May

20th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Events for May

21st

Yoga class at Turning Point Center of Chittenden County
9:15 am - 10:00 am

In-person yoga class

Events for May

22nd

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

NA logo
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

NA Beautiful Addicts (Noon Mondays)

Entrance sign to the Turning Point Center
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

All Recovery: Medication Assisted Treatment

Events for May

23rd

Celebrate Recovery
9:30 am - 10:30 am

Celebrate Recovery: Breaking Chains

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Parents in Recovery: Drop-In

Metal folding chair
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

AA Way of Life

NA logo
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

NA Beautiful Addicts

Refuge Recovery
6:45 pm - 7:45 pm

Refuge Recovery

Events for May

24th

One Month Chip
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Nooner

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Creative Writing

Families coping
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Families Coping with Addiction

Events for May

25th

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Crafting with Compassion

One Month Chip