Keeping Holiday Toasts from Becoming Trouble

By Phara Lafortune-Morame, LCSW, MCAP, EMDR cert., QS.

There are many reasons that significant moments are often celebrated with a drink. But during the holidays, otherwise-celebratory toasts can be triggers for people who struggle with substance use disorder, including seniors.

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 the 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 in recovery, particularly for older residents, who tend to suffer from depression more during the holidays. Many studies note that nearly half of individuals recovering will return to use during the holiday season.

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. For those aged 65 and older, alcohol misuse is the most frequently reported substance of use.

The use of alcohol in older adults negatively impacts brain structure and function and can lead to declines in cognitive function and memory, particularly for adults over the age of 65. In addition, the body’s ability to break down alcohol decreases with age, resulting in increased risk for accidents and falls, fractures and car accidents.  

For anyone in recovery from substance use disorder, or concerned about increased consumption through the holidays, it is important to plan.

Here are strategies for staying sober:

·      Be aware of people, places or situations that can trigger consumption, and do what you can to minimize these exposures.

·      Keep (and bring, if necessary) a nonalcoholic drink in your hand to resist temptation and discourage others from offering an alcoholic drink.

·      Set realistic expectations. Stress is common for nearly everyone during the holidays, and spontaneous, imperfect moments are often the most memorable and special moments.

·      Take care of yourself. Proper nutrition, exercise and meditation do wonders for your well-being. If you feel well physically, you will be stronger emotionally.

·      Set boundaries, and let people know where you need support in resisting temptations.

·      Have a plan on how to navigate, and more importantly exit social gatherings (For example, do not be dependent on someone else for transportation, so you can leave if needed).

·      Be aware that returning to use a substance after a period of abstinence can happen AFTER the holidays, where we can justify returning to use by feeling entitled to drink or use drugs for having made it through the holidays. Sometimes, we manage better during a crisis than afterward..

·      Seek professional help and support.

Sometimes, substance misuse is difficult to recognize in older adults, and few treatment programs are designed to meet their needs.  

However, the Primary Care Addiction Treatment (PCAT) program for adults at Healthcare Network 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 also offers medication for addiction treatment (MAT) 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.

About the Author

By 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 Healthcare Network, visit healthcareswfl.org or call 239.658.3000.