For people with a history of alcohol or drug addiction, the Lunar New Year is a peak period for relapse, as it is a time for family reunions and festive banquets, a doctor said, urging the public to stay vigilant during the holiday.
Clinical experience has shown that relapses are often triggered by the “HALT” states: being hungry, angry, lonely or tired, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Jianan Psychiatric Center said on Sunday.
With the surge in social gatherings, disrupted routines and emotional fluctuations during the festive season, people can easily find themselves re-exposed to addictive substances if they let their guard down, the center said.
Photo: CNA
Staying sober and drug-free during the holiday is the key principle for safeguarding health, it said.
The common practice of urging others to drink during Lunar New Year celebrations often leads people to overlook physical strain and the risk of addiction, said Huang Yu-fei (黃聿斐), director of the center’s Department of Addiction Psychiatry.
The public is advised to follow four principles: Do not drink on an empty stomach; do not pressure others to drink; do not engage in drinking contests; and never drive after drinking, she said.
Signs of alcohol addiction include an inability to control intake, hand tremors, anxiety and heart palpitations after stopping drinking, she said, urging those experiencing such symptoms to seek professional medical help rather than trying to endure it alone.
The Lunar New Year is also a critical period for drug prevention, she said, adding that teenagers are at higher risk due to peer pressure, curiosity or holiday parties, as emerging drugs are often disguised as coffee sachets, candies or snacks.
If parents notice sudden changes in sleep patterns, mood swings, secretive behavior or unexplained packaging, they should initiate open communication and seek professional help rather than resorting to blame, she said.
Holiday relapses are often tied to the four “HALT” conditions, as busy social schedules can lead to irregular meals and prolonged interactions with relatives might reignite old conflicts, she said.
Feelings of exclusion amid lively gatherings can also trigger loneliness, while late nights and long hours in traffic can cause physical and mental exhaustion, she added.
It is important to maintain regular meals and sleep schedules during the holiday, schedule adequate rest and pay attention to emotional changes, she said.
For many, the urge to drink stems from a “social obligation” rather than a craving, she said, suggesting preparing polite ways to decline alcohol in advance, such as stating they are on medication, or taking on the role of the designated driver to alleviate social pressure.
Family members are the most vital support for those in recovery, she said, recommending the “three dos and three don’ts” principle.
The three dos are: maintaining a home free of alcohol and drugs; offering positive encouragement; and monitoring sleep and emotional changes, she said.
The three don’ts are: do not publicly disclose a person’s past addiction; do not engage in excessive monitoring that could provoke resentment; and do not drink in front of someone in recovery, she said.
Stable and gentle companionship is more helpful than blame in supporting long-term recovery, she said.
Addiction is a chronic brain disease that requires long-term treatment and support, not something that can be overcome by willpower alone, she said.
Addiction treatment, medication and emergency services remain available throughout the Lunar New Year holiday, she said, adding that people in need should not hesitate to seek help.
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