Why Do Drug Overdoses Increase During the Holidays?
For many people, the holiday season and its festivities come with feelings of excitement and joy. However, some people also deal with overwhelming feelings of sadness, stress, and loneliness, which can lead to increased instances of substance abuse and overdose.
For those who are recovering from substance use disorders, this time of year can be especially difficult. Even a single lapse back into drug or alcohol abuse can have devastating consequences due to a lack of tolerance after detoxing.
Current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that drug overdoses increase during the holiday months and although suicides do not peak during the holidays as is commonly rumored, substance abuse is often a factor in suicidal behavior.1,2
Drug overdoses are a real risk during the holiday season but understanding the impact of seasonal stressors, knowing how to cope, and having access to substance abuse treatment can help prevent overdoses and save lives.
While the holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, the stress that comes along with them is also very real. Holiday stress can be a result of many different factors, but the following are a few of the most common sources of stress during the holiday season.
All of these stressors can contribute to alcohol and drug abuse, especially if you have a history of addiction. Any misuse of addictive substances may cause an overdose, but a person who is in recovery may be especially vulnerable to a life-threatening overdose.
Seeing as drug overdoses do increase during the holiday season, having effective coping strategies to deal with stress is a much healthier alternative to drug and alcohol abuse. Coping with stress during the holiday season may not always be easy, but there are many ways to do so without misusing addictive substances, such as:
There is no single or easy way to overcome stress during the holiday season, but applying a variety of techniques such as the ones listed above can make things easier.
If you have a loved one who is in recovery, knowing the signs of overdose can help you react quickly and take appropriate action if it becomes necessary. On the other hand, if you are the individual in recovery, there are several ways to can actively work to prevent overdose during the holiday season.
