Safety Tips for the Holidays and New Year
The holidays are a notoriously stressful time of the year. It can quickly become overwhelming between year-end deadlines at work, family get-togethers, and overextended finances. Unfortunately, many people turn to alcohol or drugs to help alleviate the stress associated with the holidays. Drinking large amounts of alcohol during the last few weeks of the year can have many unintended consequences.
Consider these tips for avoiding alcohol and staying safe over the next several weeks:
- Be willing to say no. You have the right to say no to any get-together, family function, or work party you feel uncomfortable attending. Furthermore, if the situation is triggering for you, it may be critical for your mental well-being to say no. Loved ones will understand and should support your decision.
- Bring your own drink. BYOB does not have to include alcohol. You can opt to bring a non-alcoholic drink to any holiday party. Having your own drink may help you avoid the temptation to imbibe if you are trying to stay away from alcohol during the holidays.
- Attend daytime events. Instead of going out at night, consider attending a daytime, family-friendly event. Daytime activities tend to be less centered around alcohol and often involve the whole family.
- Always designate a sober driver. If you do plan to drink, always designate a sober driver to ensure that you and others make it home safely. By planning ahead you can ensure that a night of celebration does not turn into tragedy.
This holiday season take some time to focus on yourself. If you want to stop drinking but are unable to on your own. There are options for treatment.