Keep Naloxone on Hand During the Holidays

When you consider that it gets dark earlier, stress levels seem to be higher and the “holiday blues” are common, it’s not surprising that 81% of people who took part in a 2023 poll believed that most suicides occur in December.^1,2 (Forty percent of stories published by news organizations about suicide during the 2022-2023 holiday season echoed this claim.²) But here’s the thing: no such seasonal trend exists in actual suicide data.¹ New research from the Annenburg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania shows that the winter holidays play no role in suicidality.²

Drug overdose deaths, on the other hand, can and do happen during the holidays.³ In fact, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more drug overdose deaths occurred in December of 2022 than in any other month that year, and more than 80% of those overdoses involved opioids.³ This is why it is so important to keep naloxone on hand during the holidays. One such naloxone product is Kloxxado^® (naloxone HCl) nasal spray 8mg.⁴ You never know when you might need it to reverse the potentially lethal effects of opioid overdose.⁴ Read on to learn more about the emotional challenges that can emerge during the holiday season, how they relate to substance use and tips for coping.

‘Tis the season to be stressed

Though it’s billed as “the most wonderful time of the year,” finding peace and joy during the holiday season isn’t always easy.⁵ For many, the holidays can trigger difficult emotions, thoughts and behaviors.⁶ Mental health may suffer, and as a result, substance use can emerge, recur or escalate.⁶ The holidays can be hard on mental health, particularly if you are dealing with any of the following:^7,8

• Separation from loved ones—Being separated from a loved one (or loved ones), as a result of either distance or permanent loss, can make the holidays especially hard.
• Seasonal strain—The pressure to have the “best holiday ever” can generate tension and anxiety. Packed schedules, overspending and other seasonal burdens can also take a toll.
• Family dynamics—Conflicts and ongoing feuds amongst family members can generate stress for everyone—even those not directly involved in the dispute.
• Isolation—Some of us, sadly, do not have family or friends to spend time with during the holidays. Isolation can lead to loneliness, grief and depression, which can be especially hard to manage at a time of year when so much emphasis is placed on celebrating with others.

Supporting a sober loved one

It’s incredibly difficult to recover from substance use disorder, but nearly impossible to do it alone.^5,9 If someone you care about is working toward recovery, there are things you can do to help them maintain their sobriety during this tricky time of the year:⁹

• Watch for signs that your friend or loved one in recovery might be nervous, agitated or otherwise stressed. Be prepared to gently intervene as needed.
• Provide safe spaces and time for your friend or loved one in recovery to take breaks from the celebration at hand, talk to you privately and/or relax.
• Set clear expectations around alcohol and other substances. Clear out medicine cabinets and keep a close eye on your friend or loved one in recovery.
• Always offer support and understanding for the challenges your friend or loved on in recovery might be facing, and keep in mind that even the smallest things can be emotional triggers.

Knowing when and how to intervene

The holidays abound with temptations, some of which might be impossible to resist for your friend or loved one who is in the early days of substance use disorder recovery. If you suspect your friend or loved one has returned to harmful habits and isn’t owning up to it, approach them with love and keep the following in mind:⁹

• Make the well-being of your friend or loved one your top priority.
• Consider asking a trusted friend or loved one to help you address the situation safely and privately, especially if you suspect that it will become contentious.
• Decide how you will support your friend or loved one and establish a plan.
• Be honest and blunt, and expect that there will be anger, fear and frustration from all sides.
• Support your friend or loved one without judgment. Going forward, take extra care to remove or limit temptations and reduce environmental stressors.

Maintaining your own sobriety

If you struggle with substance use disorder, you know how important it is to be proactive about maintaining your recovery.⁹ Surround yourself with supportive friends and family members, and consider taking the following steps to help reduce your stress level this season:^5,9

• Tell others the best ways to support you and your sobriety. Allowing friends and family members to understand what you’re going through may help them to support you more effectively.
• Keep handy the phone numbers of those who have been most supportive of your sobriety. Call when you need to talk with someone who understands the challenges you are facing.
• Be mindful of the temptations that might surround you at the holidays. While others may be able to have a cocktail (or even a mocktail) without consequence, you may find the same is not true for you.
• Know that it is not rude, inconvenient or shameful to ask a friend or loved one to remove medications that you might find tempting from their medicine cabinet. Any host who truly cares about his or her guests will be understanding and supportive.
• Be open in those moments when you are craving substances or are feeling triggered. Recognizing this in yourself is a strength, not a weakness. Do what you need to do to prioritize and protect your sobriety.
• Allow yourself to fully appreciate the contentment, joy and beauty the holiday season can offer, especially when you celebrate with a clear mind and open heart.

It’s also important to recognize that the holidays don’t have to feel like a celebration. You can give yourself permission to simply be where you are emotionally. Give yourself a break by letting go of the need to meet the expectations of others. Be conscious of your evolving needs for physical and emotional space, and give yourself the gift of that space as necessary.⁵

Kloxxado^® is a registered trademark of Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for Kloxxado^® for complete product details.

NOTE: This article was not written by a medical professional and is not intended to substitute for the guidance of a physician. These are not Hikma’s recommendations, but rather facts and data collected from various reliable medical sources. For a full list of resources and their attributing links, see below.

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