New Year’s Eve is often synonymous with drug abuse. In fact, if there are certain days when drug use is not frowned upon or is even encouraged, one of them is New Year’s Eve. A night of excess, heavy drinking, and drugs.
Once a Year Does Cause Harm
This night is the perfect excuse to purchase disproportionate amounts of alcohol and to consume other hard drugs. “It’s New Year’s Eve,” as if that justified or were a reason to lose control. A night that typically extends late and during which many people feel they must go out partying or drink excessively. Unfortunately, New Year’s Eve is often linked to drug abuse.
Although people say it is “just one day,” this often does not prove true, and there are people who repeat what they do on New Year’s Eve much more frequently. And even if it is only one night, excess and drug abuse can have serious consequences. A bad trip or alcohol poisoning can be some of them. Furthermore, nights of heavy consumption without feeling ill are also dangerous, as they bring people closer to addiction by having obtained pleasure through the abuse of certain drugs. On the other hand, there are individuals for whom there may be a risk of relapse, as a recovering addict will have many incentives and the context will be much more favorable for using and, therefore, relapsing.
Another problem we encounter during this night is the one that arises on the roads due to drivers who are under the influence of drugs. There are often accidents on the night of December 31st to January 1st, and that is why it must be emphasized that if one has consumed alcohol or any other type of drug, one must not drive under any circumstances. The potential harm to third parties always exists with drug abuse, and in this case the danger is very great.
Alcohol Poisoning
People are not overly scandalized by alcohol abuse, and therein lies one of its greatest risks. The fact that it is not as frowned upon as the use of other drugs makes it more accepted, and sometimes abusive consumption can go more unnoticed. In fact, toasting with glasses of champagne is one of the most repeated New Year’s Eve images in most homes. However, the consequences of alcohol consumption are as serious or more serious than those of other addictions.
But there is also another major problem, and we encounter this very often on nights like this: alcohol poisoning. Consuming it in large quantities can be problematic, and these can be some of the negative effects of suffering from alcohol poisoning:
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Dizziness
- Breathing difficulties
- Low body temperature
- Difficulty maintaining consciousness
As we can see, the dangers are very high, and in cases of alcohol poisoning the safest course of action will be to go to a hospital. Furthermore, alcohol poisoning can lead in the most severe cases to an alcoholic coma, which requires hospital admission and the health risks are very serious.
Dangers of Mixing Drugs
Alcohol is the most common drug to see at any New Year’s Eve dinner and the one people typically use to extend the night. Alcohol abuse is not only the most widespread, but as we mentioned, it is well regarded in many contexts and neither its disproportionate consumption nor its omnipresence at tables where something is being celebrated raises alarms.
But at large parties considered special like New Year’s Eve there are usually, in addition to alcohol, other types of drugs, and mixing them can be very dangerous. MDMA, cocaine, ecstasy, marijuana… in party environments people can find many different drugs, and consuming heavily and mixing them can end very badly. Using will always be negative, and mixing drugs, even worse.
Relapse
The holidays are a difficult time for people who are addicted or in recovery. First come the Christmas dinners and then comes New Year’s Eve, for many a major event that must be celebrated to the fullest. And those social pressures do not help at all for an addicted person who may feel more vulnerable. Therefore, it is possible that the chances of a relapse may increase.
As we mentioned, everything encourages greater consumption, there are many events, and the atmosphere is very festive. In addition to the dreaded Christmas dinners, New Year’s Eve arrives afterward, another key date that must be overcome without relapsing. One must become aware for this and many other moments when the desire to use may appear stronger.
In these cases, it is also very important that the people in the addict’s environment accompany and help them get through these days. If one wishes to hold some type of celebration, it is important to create a drug-free space and be able to celebrate New Year’s Eve while providing comfort to the recovering addict. Creating a safe environment will give them peace of mind and can make things easier.
If anxiety and the desire to use are increasing, you can call the CCAdicciones telephone line that we have active 24 hours a day at 617 200 882. We can help you through therapy, admission, or in whatever manner is deemed necessary.
Detoxification Treatments
Starting treatment can be the addict’s salvation. Having an addiction and not attempting to remedy it is something that can carry many risks. The decline of the person with the addiction will become increasingly greater, and health problems and relationship issues with those around them will increase. That is why it is crucial to stop and seek treatment.
At CCAdicciones we provide alcohol detoxification treatments and treatments for other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, etc. We also have treatments for behavioral addictions such as gambling addiction, sex addiction, or addiction to new technologies. Your recovery is fundamental to us, which is why we are specialized in all types of addictions and our professionals will create an individualized treatment plan based on each case.
A New Year, a New Opportunity
We are accustomed to making wishes for the coming years, and there is nothing that can be more beneficial than leaving addiction behind. The new year is the opportunity to start a new life. In the case of addiction, any day is a good time to address it, but if we must make a list of wishes, this should be the first. At CCAdicciones we can help you, because there is always a way out and a new opportunity.
