Drugs and Alcohol in the Silly Season

We are now in the silly season which arguably starts from mid-December on. The silly season is something that most people in Australia can relate too. Sun, BBQ’s, long days, the dreaded last minute Christmas, lights, get togethers, family, camping, the beach or the river, eskies, thongs, flies and mozzies, cricket, prezzies, togs, sunscreen, kids, barefeet, hot roads, great food! What an excellent time!

For some, this is an exciting time of year for other reasons. It is the great excuse, the great justification to get trashed and to get trashed lots. Thus this can become: 

  • An unbearable time for the people associated with the drug or alcohol user and 
  • A real eye opener for the friends and families of a drug user who may not have been wise to the extent of the problem

Christmas time can bring out on opposite ends, the good cheer in people but equally on the other end, the devil in people, as it is already an exciting time which then can be highlighted and compounded with more drug and alcohol abuse.

So, please watch out for your loved ones, drink and drug driving can be rife during this time so take the extra effort to make sure that someone you know, is not getting into a car tipsy or drunk. Try and extend frank, real communication, with empathy, towards someone you may be worried about so that they may be more likely to talk to you. It is more viable to approach it this way than to approach communication with antagonism as antagonism can oftentimes beget more antagonism. 

If you need more help talking to your loved ones or tips on what to watch out for, please call one of our intake councillors on 1300 88 7676.

We never close so you can call us 365 days of the year and we also have admission onto our services every single day of the year.

Merry Christmas!

AUTHOR

Christine Bauer

Christine is the Dissemination Secretary at Narconon Melbourne, Australia. She is also a graduate of the program and has been free of drugs for 11 years.