5 Ways to Maintain Sobriety for Halloween

Halloween may be the scariest holiday of the year, but it doesn’t have to unhinge your recovery.

Halloween Drug and Alcohol Misuse

Halloween—or All Hallows’ Eve—is said to be the one night of the year where the barrier between the dead and the living wanes thin enough to let spirits pass through. However, there’s something else about October 31st that’s far more chilling: It’s the increase in drug and alcohol use and the related tragedies that happen as a result. Some of the scariest statistics include:¹

• According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on Halloween night, between 2017 and 2021, 159 people were killed in drunk driving crashes.
• In 2021, 38 people were killed on Halloween night in drunk driving accidents.

Additionally, research indicates that holidays like Halloween promote excessive and binge drinking in and around college campuses.²

Maintaining Sobriety for Halloween

If you struggle with substance use, avoid the parties and bars with the booze and drugs and try these activities instead:

• Watch a scary movie or TV series.
• Take the kids trick-or-treating.
• Pass out candy to trick-or-treaters.
• Do arts and crafts, such as carving a pumpkin or other similar activities with family and friends.
• Attend a mutual-help meeting, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. They have meetings every day of the year.

If you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol or other substances, you’re not alone on this holiday or any other day. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is here to help you achieve long-term recovery. Don’t let the holidays or anything else stop you from taking that very first step. Call and speak to one of our compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigators, who can listen to your story, answer your questions, explain your options, and get you started on your recovery journey.

*James Regan also contributed to this article.