New Year's Eve hard for recovering abusers

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- For recovering alcoholics, New Year's Eve can be the hardest day of the year, says the Michigan Association of Substance Abuse Coordinating Agencies.

"For those who battle with substance abuse problems throughout the year, New Year's Eve is the hardest time," said Mark Witte, substance abuse coordinator and spokesperson for MASACA. "The pervasiveness of substance abuse on New Year's Eve poses risks to not only recovering addicts, but to their friends, families and society."

The night is best-known for excessive drinking and partying, and as a result, recovering substance abusers face a hostile environment, according to Witte.

"It's the hardest time of year for recovering substance abusers because you're surrounded by overindulgence -- it's impossible to escape, and there's little empathy for those who have struggled with addiction," says John Andrews, a recovering alcoholic, who is administrative coordinator MASACA.