The average person takes advantage of the downtime during the holiday season. As long as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years have been celebrated, most people seize the opportunity to unwind, indulge, and participate in holiday cheer, especially with alcohol.
From prohibition years and to modern times, using alcohol to celebrate the holidays has never slowed.
Yet, the general attitude towards moderation has changed as we better know the short and long-term health impacts of alcohol use. (The average American adult is not drinking excessively daily, weekly, or monthly.)
Most people know alcohol is damaging to your mind and body. However, overindulgence is often encouraged during the holidays, and moderation and our knowledge of it conveniently no longer exists.
A big reason for this is that even a joyous holiday season can cause stress for most individuals and families.
According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 9 in 10 Americans say that concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones, and family conflict cause them stress during this time of year. Unfortunately, close to 2 in 5 adults who experience stress during the
holiday season said they use harmful coping mechanisms such as drugs and alcohol.
While most agree that the holiday season is a positive experience, we are often encouraged to manage stress by overindulging in things like alcohol, food, or even drugs, and this has never changed in our society. Advertising is geared to play on this; bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and alcohol suppliers know
alcohol sales increase this time of year, and the messaging is simple, which is buy our product and celebrate the festive season.
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 15.7% of Tennessee adults binge drink at least once per month. Binge-drinking adults in the state binge a median of 1.7 times monthly, and 25% of most active drinkers’ binge 4.4 times per month. Unfortunately, there is an average of 2,057 annual deaths in Tennessee attributed to excessive alcohol use.
There are strategies and resources to help. For example, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has a statewide crisis line 1-855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471). Alternatively, you can text or call 988, the crisis lifeline, to talk to someone.
During the holidays, pay attention to your feelings and develop a plan for when you are feeling stressed, sad, or lonely. Avoid alcohol and drugs; while this is easier said than done for some people, the holiday season presents challenges that can trigger the use of alcohol, for example. It’s wise to recognize these
triggers and avoid alcohol.
If you are struggling, focus on practicing self-care and remaining connected with your friends, family, or local community. Feelings can amplify for some people this time of year, making it necessary to support others. Attend your local faith community, support group, community centers, or local meetups. Most importantly, know when to seek help. This can be especially important for anyone already struggling with a substance use disorder or mental health issues.
Don’t let the holidays become something you dread. While society tells us to indulge in certain things and throw care and caution to the wind, we can choose not to listen. Focus on the more authentic meanings of the holiday season and encourage others to do the same.
Nickolaus Hayes is a healthcare professional in the field of substance use and addiction recovery and is part of the editorial team at Drug Rehab Services (DRS.) His primary focus is spreading awareness by educating individuals on the topics surrounding substance use.
