5 Reasons to avoid drinking this Holiday Season
The year end holiday season is usually associated with warm get-togethers and the quality time that we get to spend with our friends and family. But the holiday season is also associated with excessive drinking and resultant accidents. Relapse is common among those in recovery during this time. There are many reasons that compel people to drink during the holidays. Some of them include:
- The holidays are the end of a hectic year for some who just want to relax and unwind.
- Most people are unencumbered by work responsibilities the next day morning so they end up drinking throughout the night.
- Some people end up drinking socially to not feel awkward in a social setting.
- A large section of people also have issues with alcohol end up not being able to control themselves during this time.
Irrespective of what reason might drive you to consume alcohol, we at Phoenix have worked out a list of 5 reasons to avoid drinking throughout the holidays – starting Christmas till the New Year.
- Accidents Many accidents either happen to or are caused by people who are under the influence of alcohol. They end up grievously hurting themselves or in many cases – others or many others. We all have read about such mishaps in the newspaper in the days preceding the new year – accidents caused by drunken driving that have ended up killing parents and making orphans of their children. Or cases where people have gotten injured while under the influence of alcohol by falling and hurting themselves. One way to avoid such mishaps that can end up hurting your future? “Say NO to Alcohol.”
- Arrests If you plan to drink and drive during the holiday know this – you will get arrested. Driving laws in most countries are extremely strict about drunken driving and even the first offence can land you in jail. Especially during the holidays, traffic police are out in large numbers and the probability of getting caught are extremely high. Plus, it’s never a good idea to drink and drive, no matter how good you think you are at being in control. Alcohol significantly slows your reaction time and an accident can turn your life or the life of others upside-down in a moment. Why take the risk? Why gamble with your life or the life of others?
- Embarrassing yourself Alcohol tends to bring out the worst in people. Everyone believes that they are good at controlling their behaviour when drunk but honestly – No one is. People just end up saying and doing things that ends up embarrassing themselves and their families when they are drunk. Dancing on table, getting into fights, public indecency, passing out are some of the many common embarrassing things that people end up doing when drunk. But in most cases, people do not remember such incidents and continue lying to themselves about their behaviour when they are drunk.
- Hangover An epic party with friends over alcohol is incomplete without a hangover the next day. Try remembering the hangover and the feelings of pain and suffering. That should in most cases be plenty reason to skip the alcohol and just have fun instead. Bonus? Wake up fresh and active the next day and get stuff done or just have a fun day off!
- Embrace the New Year We tend to think about the holidays as the end of the year. This could be the reason why we end up drinking the way we do, maybe as a way to relax and unwind after the year that was. But why not think of it as the start of a New Year? A year filled with hopes and possibilities and goals that can be accomplished. Drinking, no matter what the quantity – does take a toll on our body. Let’s focus on our health for once and start the year caring for and nurturing our body and mind.
If you went though the reasons as mentioned above and realised that the points mentioned above help you, consider taking a print out, bookmarking this post or sharing with someone that may find it helpful.
Not sure if you’ll be able to handle the pressure of drinking this holiday season? Consider reaching out to our counsellor for help. Call us at +9177999 19293.
