Holiday Happiness or Holiday Horrors

Holiday Happiness or Holiday Horrors

The holidays for most people have become a time of increased stress, worry about finances and buying gifts, overeating, difficult family scenes, excessive partying, or drunken embarrassing business parties.

The holidays can also be a time of joyful celebration, of reunion, and of giving thanks. The choices we make will determine how we experience the holidays and whether there are negative or positive consequences that follow the season’s end.

If you tend to get into trouble when you drink, you might have an alcohol problem. If trouble finds you when you use, and unintended events occur, you might have a substance abuse problem. The best way to handle the issue is to test yourself-stop using. However, if you know you have a substance abuse problem and are drinking and drugging in excess, it is not advisable to cease using suddenly as you will go begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms. You should speak to your primary care physician or contact an addiction treatment program.

For those who do not believe they have a problem but do know they can overindulge, below are the government’s figures on what counts as a drink.

Beer: 12 fl oz =1 drink
16 fl oz= 1 ½ drinks
22 fl oz= 2 drinks
40 fl oz+ 3 ½ drinks

Malt liquor:  16 fl oz= 2 drinks
22 fl oz= 2 ½ drinks
40 fl oz= 4 ½ drinks
Table wine: 1 bottle = 5 drinks

Hard liquor:   A mixed drink = 1 or more drinks
Half a pint = 4 ½ drinks
Half a bottle = 8 ½ drinks
A fifth = 17 drinks

Drugs cannot be discussed, as drugs should only be taken as prescribed. Non-medical use of drugs is dangerous and Illicit drug use is illegal.

The end of the year can be a time of self reflection and change. If you think you have a problem with drugs or alcohol you probably do. Call an addiction helpline to get help for alcohol and drug addiction. Admitting you have a substance abuse problem and deciding to get help can be the best gift you can give yourself and your family, friends and co-workers.