The Hidden Dangers on the 4th of July

Between 2000 and 2009 more people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents on July 4th than any other day of the year.”

Tyler woke up on the 4th of July excited to spend the day celebrating the holiday; however, his day of celebration would instead come to a tragic end. After spending the afternoon celebrating and drinking with friends and family, he climbed into the passenger seat of his friend Joseph’s Jeep. As the two friends traveled on an un-named, off-highway dirt trail in the vicinity of US-95, Joseph attempted to navigate the jeep up a dirt hill to access the US-95. However, the vehicle lost traction, and rolled to its left and down a dirt embankment. Tyler was immediately thrown from the vehicle and sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Joseph was subsequently arrested at the scene and later charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and manslaughter.

Tyler’s story is a sad example of the fact that while the 4th of July is usually a day filled with friends, family, and celebration; it can often have a more sinister side lurking in the shadows. Known for fireworks and celebrations, it is now also a day known for its astounding statistics in drinking and driving fatalities; leading many to call it the deadliest day of the year. Additionally, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, hospital emergency department visits involving underage drinking double for males during the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Similar to many other holidays, the 4th of July is a day usually revolving around parties and alcohol which can be extremely difficult for those in addiction recovery. However, there are a few tips that can help you and your loved ones safely celebrate the holiday:

• Bring your own non-alcoholic drinks from home: While many parties may involve alcohol, bringing your own non-alcoholic beverage from home can help keep temptation and peer pressure at bay.
• Choose how you want to celebrate: While many 4th of July celebrations may revolve around alcohol, not all do. Don’t be afraid to turn down a party invite and instead find a celebration that will be supportive of your sobriety.
• Bring a supportive friend: Support is essential in addiction recovery and having a friend nearby can be an additional safety net when temptation rises.
• Don’t completely avoid the holiday: While the negative connotations surrounding the holiday may seem daunting, getting out and being active can be essential in addiction recovery.
• Have an exit strategy in mind: Sometimes temptation will arise and having an exit strategy in mind ahead of time can greatly assist in avoiding relapse.

While substance abuse may, at times, seem to overshadow the 4th of July; surrounding yourself with positive people who care about you and your decision to remain sober is essential to addiction recovery. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the 4th of July without the dangers of relapse or driving under the influence of alcohol. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, make that first step towards long-term recovery today and give us a call. We are here to help.

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