Problem: Article: If, like your parent, you also turn to alcohol as a relief, get treatment. Many children of alcoholic parents also suffer from alcohol problems and cannot seem to get a handle on it. Decide that it's time for you to get help. Look into your treatment options and pick one that's suitable for you.  You may choose to get inpatient therapy, like going to a recovery center, or do outpatient treatment, which might include seeing a therapist and/or medical doctor. If you are an alcoholic, then inpatient care may be the best choice. You will need to detox all of the alcohol out of your system, which can be harmful if done at home without medical care. A typical inpatient stay for detox is 5-7 days, depending on the person's needs. For more information, check out How to Overcome Alcoholism. You are not the only person who struggles with an alcoholic parent. Reach out for support to connect with others who also have alcoholic parents through a support group. A support group is a great way to connect with others, not feel alone in your struggles, share your experiences, and support one another.  Some support groups to consider include Adult Children of Alcoholics or Al-Anon Family Groups. If you seek treatment for your own issues with alcohol, look for support groups or group therapies through your doctor, clinic, or program. Some of these groups are run by licensed professionals, which could help your healing. Children of alcoholics often experience low self-esteem, shame, isolation, and emotional distress. It can be difficult to handle these things on your own and you may want to seek the help of a therapist. A therapist can help you work through your emotions, change your mindset in how you approach your family and/or your parent, and help you to build skills to cope with stress more effectively. To find a therapist, call your insurance provider. You may also obtain a referral from your general practitioner or ask a friend for a recommendation.
Summary: Treat any existing drug problems. Join a support group. Get individual therapy.

Problem: Article: Call or text one of your friends. You may not have seen them in a while because you might have time off from school, so you should catch that person up on what’s going on in your life and ask them about theirs. Try to immerse yourself in the conversation so that you are a little distracted from the fact that it’s Christmas. If you want to distract yourself from the fact that it’s Christmas Eve, you should do an activity that isn’t related to Christmas. For example, you could try one of the following activities:  Read Write Draw something Play a musical instrument Exercise Take a bath The fastest way to pass the time will be to fall asleep, because when you wake up, it will be Christmas morning! However, sometimes it’s hard to fall asleep on Christmas Eve. Here are some ways that you can try to fall asleep faster:  Wear noise cancelling headphones to counteract distracting noises  Wear socks to bed Take a warm shower before you try to fall asleep Go to your “happy place” Listen to music
Summary: Call a friend. Entertain yourself with something unrelated to Christmas. Go to sleep early.

Problem: Article: Whether you plan to swim or not, you will likely wear some type of swimwear. Put on a bikini or swimsuit that looks good on you. There are several fashionable, flattering, cute options for both types of swimsuits. If you can't decide, consider a tankini, since it's a combination of the two.  If this is a work-related pool party, a bikini is likely inappropriate. If you don’t find a swimsuit that you love in stores, remember that there are thousands of styles available on the internet. Choose your trunks, guys.  You don’t want to wear swimwear that is too long and baggy.  On the other hand, you don’t want to wear a tight, bikini suit.  The most fashionable and flattering look is a more fitted trunk that rests above the knee. A dress makes for a great pool party outfit. They are lightweight, breathable, one piece, and, of course, fashionable.  The dress you choose should be colorful or have a fun pattern.  It should also be made of lightweight fabric. If you’re plus sized, consider wearing a dress with a smaller pattern and in a cute hi-lo cut, which accentuates all of your beautiful curves. Choosing what clothes to wear to the party can be tricky.  If you opt for an outfit, make sure that you wear layers so that you can remove or add them as necessary so that you don’t overheat.  You may decide that you’d prefer to wear shorts or capris.  Choose a lightweight top or tank top to go with your underwear, such as a tank top and denim shorts or capris. You’re at the party and you’ve taken off your outfit, but you’re also not swimming and you want to wear a little something.  You might decide that you don’t want to walk around in your swimsuit, but you also don’t want to be fully dressed.  A sarong or cover-up is the perfect, fashionable solution.  Choose a sarong or cover-up that complements your swimsuit and jewelry, which will allow you to walk around confidently and fashionably.
Summary: Wear your perfect swimwear. Dress up. Wear layers. Cover up, if you like.

Problem: Article: Water follows gravity, so if it’s collecting in a depression, raise the ground in that area. First, rake up the affected topsoil with a landscape rake so it mixes well with the soil to be added. Then collect soil from a higher site and use your rake to redistribute it over the low-lying area, tilling it well to mix it with the original soil. Fill the depression almost all the way, with about 2 inches (5 cm) to spare. Fill the last two inches by laying sod so its roots prevent the soil from washing away.  Remember to keep the slope of your lawn running downward from your house, not toward it. Your lawn’s slope should ideally lower by a couple inches (5 cm) every ten feet (3 m) from your house. . If the roof of your house or shed is adding water to a certain spot in your hard, redirect the water by installing water gutters and drains. Definitely do this if water is pooling directly alongside your house, since it may get into the foundation and create mold and cracks. Make sure you place your drains where the ground slopes away from your house so you don’t create a new problem while solving the old one.  Installing a rain barrel to collect water from your gutters is a great way to minimize the amount that your lawn has to absorb. It’s also a great no-waste practice, as the rainwater can be used to water plants. Map out a creek bed that will carry water downhill from the affected area. Remove 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm) of soil along this course. Compact the ground so the bed is flat and the sides are angled up and outward, away from the bed, so surrounding water flows in. Cover the bed and sides with landscape fabric to keep weeds and grass from growing. Then add a ½ inch (1.25 cm) layer of pea gravel over the bed. Be mindful of neighbors when plotting your creek’s course. Diverting standing water might solve your drainage issues, but flooding their yard may create a whole new problem.
Summary:
Regrade your lawn. Install gutters and drains Create a drainage creek.