The holidays are supposed to be a happy time, but they aren’t for everyone. For people who are struggling with substance abuse it can be especially tough. Victoria Nagel of the New Jersey Prevention Network is an expert on mental health and substance abuse.
“People who are currently using, we see that use increase with a lot of the stress and pressure that happens during that time,” she said. “We do see sometimes that folks that are in recovery from substance use disorders have relapses around this time of the year.”
In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, two-thirds of people reported feeling stressed during the holidays. Nagel said don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“This might mean talking to somebody you trust within your inner circle,” she said. “It could also mean reaching out to a mental health professional. There’s really nothing weak about asking for help, in fact it’s one of the strongest things that folks can do.”
Research shows that substance use spikes during the holidays, with alcohol-related deaths increasing by nearly 40% in December, and mental health crises rising due to the emotional and financial pressures of the season. Nagel said it’s important to take care of you.
“Some people intentionally engage in self care practices, literally scheduling self care as if it was an appointment,” she said. “People are really doing it, cause that’s another thing that really burns us out is we forget to focus on ourselves.”