The celebrations are set to begin as Australians wind down and workplaces close, but the forced break and family time can exacerbate underlying stressors, increasing the risk of relapse. The festive season can be hard to navigate for anyone, especially if you’re living with addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, strained relationships, broken families or financial pressures. Everything from festive events to Christmas decorations can be triggering, causing a minefield of emotions. This was the case for our General Manager of Lived Experience, John Knights.