Destin is a premier destination for tourism in Florida. The white sand beaches and beautiful weather draw tens of thousands of tourists to our beautiful city each year. Destin also hosts a number of summer festivals and outdoor music events. However, summer events are filled with celebrations and recreational activities where substance use and abuse happen. National Prevention week occurs every year in May, before summer begins, as a means of raising awareness regarding substance abuse at celebratory events.
The celebrations in Destin are no exception when it comes to substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol at music festivals and summer celebrations are notorious as local authorities report numerous hospitalizations each year for attendees. The combination of alcohol, crowds, street drugs and the Florida heat can have serious consequences. Often, the electrifying atmosphere can stimulate people to use more drugs or ingest more alcohol than they would have otherwise, with dangerous side effects. Both alcohol and street drugs, like ecstasy, can hasten dehydration. In very hot environments, like in Destin, dehydration significantly increases the risks associated with drug and alcohol abuse.
Signs and Symptoms
For those partaking in the celebrations, there are a number of signs and symptoms to be aware of which may be signaling the onset of more serious complications and even overdose. Some symptoms to be aware of include:
- Nausea
- Blurred Vision
- Fainting
- Chills
- Excessive sweating
- Dehydration
- Muscle cramping/twitching
- Shortness of breath
Combining alcohol and drugs can have serious consequences, so it’s important to be aware of the signs of intolerance or overdose. The added stressors of heat and celebration also contribute to a more dangerous environment for overdose. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should stop taking drugs and/or drinking alcohol immediately and seek help right away.
Staying Sober
For those individuals working to maintain their sobriety after drug or alcohol rehabilitation, summer celebratory events, like those in Destin, can be a difficult source of temptation. You may want to actively participate in the events, but feel worried the temptation to also partake in drugs and alcohol will be too great. There are a number of helpful things you can do to maintain your sobriety during these events.
A Plan
First, know that starting each day with a plan to fend off relapse is crucial. Stay focused on your goal of sobriety and evaluate the risk scenario of every situation. Take along a friend who doesn’t smoke, drink or take drugs to help you stay sober at social events. Recovering addicts should know their triggers to relapse and know how to manage them. Make sure you are mentally and physically prepared to ward off these triggers. If necessary, you might have to forgo events altogether if the risk of relapse seems too great.
Destin Rehab Can Help
Summer festivals and celebrations can and should be fun, but they are also a prime time for substance abuse. They also are a risky source of relapse for those in addiction recovery. During this time, it’s important to find and lean on your support system. Make time to attend extra meetings during the summer to stay on track. Stay close with your sober friends and family and those you’ve met on your recovery journey. Also, know that your friends who still abuse substance may have to celebrate without you this year.
If you are struggling with drug or alcohol addictions or to maintain your sobriety, contact Blu by the Sea today. We are a Destin rehab facility, committed to helping you on your journey to recovery from addiction.
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