Alcoholism is a serious issue that we as a society need to be conscious of all year round. That said, the holidays can make it tough to be as aware of it as well as problem drinking as we should be. It's no secret that alcohol is a part of many holiday traditions from drinking hot spiced rum in front of the fireplace to champagne toasts at midnight on New Year's Eve. The holidays can bring about excessive drinking and a serious increase in alcohol related accidents and deaths. For example, many people who don't normally drink will engage in some alcohol consumption over the holidays. This can be alarming as many of these people have a low tolerance and therefore an increased vulnerability to the harmful effects of alcohol. At the other end of the spectrum are those who suffer from alcoholism and therefore normally drink to excess, but during the holidays feel less inhibited about their drinking thanks to parties filled with free flowing alcohol, so they can be even more over the top than they usually would be. Both of these scenarios can threaten one's safety when you consider the likelihood of passing out and being unaware of your surroundings, getting behind the wheel of a car or even severe alcohol poisoning.
Liquor billboards across the United States are reminding their citizens to be responsible during this holiday season. If you are over the age of 21 and choose to consume alcohol, know your limits, drink in moderation and always have a designated driver. If you suffer from alcoholism and are in recovery, do whatever it takes to remain sober whether it be attending extra meetings, having a set schedule or taking some time for yourself every day to reflect upon your recovery efforts and how far you've come. While alcohol can be an addition to a holiday party, it should never be the focus. Because when alcohol becomes the focus of any event and you equate it with your ability to have fun, problems are almost certainly abound. Alcoholism is a terrible disease that is in much closer reach for those who chronically abuse alcohol than they realize.
The holidays are intended to be a time to get together with those important to you to celebrate and give thanks for all that you have, yet too often these celebratory times are met with tragic endings by individuals who do not behave responsibly. The statistics speak for themselves; during the holiday season, two to three times more people die in alcohol related car crashes, and 40 percent of traffic fatalities involve a driver who is impaired by alcohol.
The holidays can be an especially difficult time for the recovering addict as well as an incredibly dangerous time for someone with an active addiction. If there's someone in your life who's developed a drinking problem, please don't wait. The sooner you get them help the less danger they'll be exposed to.
Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP is the President and CEO of
Destination Hope, a licensed dual diagnosis substance abuse treatment center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ben has more than 20 years of experience in the addiction and mental health fields, which led him to develop a combination of innovative treatment protocols at Destination Hope. He has been published on various topics including dual diagnosis and chemical dependency, and gives back to the community by educating other addiction counselors at his Academy for Addiction Professionals.
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