ESCANABA — The holidays can be an especially stressful time for anyone whose life is impacted by addiction. The Delta County chapter of Face Addiction Now (FAN) invites the public to attend a special family forum on Tuesday, December 10 at 7 p.m. focusing on how to deal with the losses addiction brings before, during and after the holidays. The meeting, held at Northern Lights YMCA in Escanaba, will feature professional grief counselor Gwen Kapcia.

For more than 30 years, Kapcia has assisted individuals, families and groups who are grieving through her work in hospice, funeral homes, churches, community support groups and a dedicated bereavement center.

With addiction, grief can encompass not only the death of a loved one, but also the losses related to changes in personality, behavior, and family dynamics brought on by substance use. Whether grieving a death or coping with changes in the person you once knew, Kapcia aims to address these already complex feelings, which may be further complicated by the holiday season.

FAN Delta County offers a supportive and informational network to those impacted by addiction who may be looking for support, guidance, or community. This includes those in active addiction or recovery, loved ones of someone who struggles, those who work or volunteer in professions and agencies that offer support or resource services, or anyone whose life has been affected by addiction in any way.

FAN Delta County meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Northern Lights YMCA building, located at 200 N. 30th Street in Escanaba. FAN meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.