The Way Out Recovery SCV recently held a discussion about the grief many families feel during the holiday season, whether a loved one died from an overdose or is absent during the festivities as they continue their struggle with addiction.

Bob Sharits, program director at The Way Out Recovery SCV, welcomed Certified Grief Recovery Specialist Sharon Brubaker during the latest “The Way Out Recovery Hour” on KHTS AM-1220 to address this common issue that many people are afraid to talk about.

“(During) the holiday season, we like to honor family members that are sitting missing their loved ones, whether they have died from drug use or they’re out there and just not present at the dinner table during this wonderful season,” Sharits said. “It’s like that for a lot of families this time of year.”

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Brubaker pointed out that most people were never taught how to grieve properly, and instead rely on common myths and misinformation that don’t offer true healing.

The top two myths that Brubaker called the “worst pieces of advice” to give someone who is grieving is to just give it time, and to keep busy.

“It is not time that heals, we know for a fact it is the action steps that we take within time that actually heal our heart,” she explained. “It’s the action steps that we go to, looking at what is so painful … and working through that pain.”

Because different types of grief — ranging from death to divorce to moving away from home as a child — accumulate over time, Brubaker works with individuals to identify all the losses in their life, and identify which ones need to be “completed” so the person can finally find healing.

“The word bravery comes to mind,” Sharits added, referring to those who find the courage to address their loss rather than hide from it.

He continued, “Although the holiday season can bring that loss in stark contrast to all the stuff that’s going on around us … there are some tools and some people that you can connect with and support groups and clinicians and programs, so that you can not only make it through the holidays if you’ve experienced grief or loss, but also you can find ways to honor the loss.”

The Way Out Recovery SCV

28118 Bouquet Canyon Road

Santa Clarita, CA 91350

(661) 296-4444

The Way Out Recovery SCV – Santa Clarita

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