For some, this is the time of year for recovery in New Orleans. Mardi Gras has come and gone. The King of Rex toasted, the last float has passed, and the last of the King Cake eaten. And for many New Orleanians, the most indulgent time of year gives way to the Lenten season in which they woke up on Ash Wednesday headed to a service to get their ashes and started their promises of sacrifice and discipline. It’s also a time of year that many New Orleanians try to give up alcohol or drugs, even just until Easter. But many who try are surprised at how difficult a challenge this can be.
In a city like New Orleans, the line between social drinking and a drinking problem is not always easily defined, which can make recovery in a city like New Orleans challenging. When everything is an occasion for a party, when does the party become a problem? The answer is surprising simple: drinking becomes a problem when it disrupts your work and personal life. If you are continuing to use alcohol despite the negative effects it is having on your life, then it’s a problem. And it might be worth speaking with a specialist to help you evaluate the situation and get a handle of things.
