Many significant moments are often celebrated with a drink. But during the holidays, otherwise-celebratory toasts can be triggers for teenagers to try substances as well as for people who struggle with substance use disorder.
Some families and cultures have holiday traditions that lean heavily on alcohol consumption. Family recipes for festive cocktails and toasts before dinners reinforce the idea that consumption is part of connecting with loved ones and embracing holiday spirit.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States notes that a quarter of the $49-billion-a-year distilled spirits industry’s profits come from the month between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Another study notes that the average American drinks 27% more during the holiday season compared to the rest of the year.
As a result, the stress and anxiety associated with the holiday season can result in increased consumption or return to drug and alcohol use for those currently recovering. Many studies note that nearly half of individuals recovering will return to use during the holiday season.
The holiday season also presents an opportunity for teens and adolescents to venture into substance use. Some parents believe that allowing underage alcohol or substance use with supervision provides an element of safety. However, a teen’s undeveloped brain is a uniquely vulnerable environment. Research shows that allowing even a sip of alcohol for teens is related to poorer health outcomes and substance misuse later in life.
The prevalence of substances in celebrations often mixes badly with the elevated depression and stress the holidays can bring. Expectations for creating and experiencing holiday joy are at the center of potential substance use triggers.
When mixed with emotional turmoil, financial stress, loneliness, grief, nostalgia, and dysfunctional and complex family relationships, this can create a desire to seek temporary escape from overwhelming feelings through substances.
One of the best ways for parents to protect children from developing substance use disorders is to model appropriate ways to cope with tough emotions besides turning to substances, including:
Using healthy outlets for stress and difficult emotions, such as exercise, talking with a friend, journaling, or meditation/prayer.
Communicating feelings and needs and listening to the needs of others, showing it is okay to have difficult feelings when you have a plan to manage those emotions.
Developing holiday traditions that do not involve substances, such as baking holiday cookies, watching holiday movies together, picking out a holiday tree, or driving around to enjoy holiday lights.
Prioritizing rest, movement, nourishment, hydration, and self-care.
Making sure your children know where you stand on underage drinking and that they can always call you if they need to be picked up from a situation where others are drinking.
During the holidays, the risk of substance use affects not only young people but also adults. In fact, substance use issues often ripple through the entire family, with parents and caregivers playing a critical role in modeling healthy coping mechanisms. Families affected by substance use disorder may face unique challenges during the holidays, as children of parents with substance use disorders are statistically more likely to develop these issues themselves.
For adults seeking support, Healthcare Network’s Primary Care Addiction Treatment program follows a supportive, compassionate, and nonjudgmental approach to encourage healing and lessen negative effects. The program treats every patient with respect and dignity, using empathetic language to reduce stigma and foster a supportive environment.
Healthcare Network offers medication for addiction treatment for opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, and other substances within a primary care setting. Comprehensive care includes medication treatment along with behavioral therapy and counseling services to provide a whole-care approach to treating substance use disorders and support recovery.
In addition, our primary care programs for the whole family include integrated mental and behavioral health care to address some of the mental health challenges that are sometimes at the root of substance use disorders.
Help is available through the holidays and beyond. Supportive treatment can be the gift of a lifetime for you and your loved ones.
Phara Lafortune-Morame is associate clinical director of behavioral health at Healthcare Network. To learn more about substance use and behavioral and mental health support available at Healthcare Network, visit healthcareswfl.org or call 239-658-3000.