Halloween celebrations are often a core childhood memory for people across the nation. Well into adulthood, people can recall their most frightening costumes, their biggest candy stashes, and the scents and temperatures of the cold fall nights of trick-or-treating. However, for many people in recovery from addiction, Halloween may bring up triggers, temptations, and problematic situations.
Substance use tends to spike on Halloween, and alcohol-related traffic accidents increase as well:
- In 2022, 72 people died in traffic crashes during Halloween night
- 46% of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-related crashes
- 39% of those fatalities occurred in drunk-driving crashes, which involved at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration at or above .08 g/dL
- From 2018 to 2022, there were 386 traffic fatalities during Halloween night, 52% of which involved drunkenness
Why Is Heavy Drinking So Common On Halloween?
Alcohol has been associated with Halloween for centuries, with celebrations of the holiday characterized by indulging in alcoholic drinks, namely mead and cider. In the present, drinking and alcohol-related behaviors like the following are becoming more and more common in October:
- October marks the celebration of Oktoberfest, a worldwide festival featuring renowned beer and carnival attractions—further normalizing alcohol consumption in the fall that can bleed into Halloween
- For the past twenty years, Google searches on wine and beer spike around Halloween, a sign that people are looking for ways to jump on the drinking bandwagon as winter approaches
- Halloween-themed alcohol attracts consumers and enjoys great sales
- Young people tend to participate heavily in traditional alcohol-infused Halloween celebrations to a deeper degree than other groups
Tips For Sober Halloween Celebrations in Iowa
Our doors are always open to anyone who needs ideas or support during fall festivities. You can contact us with any questions or concerns for your sobriety or that of a loved one. In the meantime, check out these tips for enjoying a delightful, sober Halloween:
- Throw a sober Halloween craft party with themed projects that are fun and stimulating to create in a group.
- Get creative with yummy fall mocktails for your guests.
- Throw a scary movie night with Halloween-themed goodies that you can make beforehand or with your guests.
- Join or sign up for fall-themed or Halloween-inspired community events, like marathons, haunted houses, sporting events, or charity events for kids and teens who can use extra guidance!
In Case of Relapse, Reach Out
If you’re feeling the pull of drugs and alcohol and aren’t sure you’ll be able to resist the cravings on your own, reach out for help. You might use this time of year to buckle down on your recovery by:
- Attending more recovery meetings each week.
- Meeting with your therapist more often.
- Volunteering in your recovery community or at an alumni event.
- Making good use of the CaredFor app, if you’re an alum of St. Gregory.
If you have had a slip or relapse, don’t spend any time wallowing in guilt or hopelessness. Remember that addiction is a chronic illness, and relapse is often part of the journey. All you need to do is reach out to St. Gregory. Our admissions counselors can connect you with the treatment program you need to get yourself back on track.
And if you have never been to treatment but suspect that your drinking or drug use is spiraling out of control, contact our team to begin your recovery today. From detox to inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and the aftercare services mentioned above, we will be with you every step of the way, at Halloween and all year round.