Published: Dec. 15, 2024 at 1:39 PM PST
Watch the video on Denver 7 News website.
Steve Carleton, Chief Clinical Officer at Porch Light Health, spoke with Denver 7 News about drinking and alcohol dependence during the holidays.
Denver7 News
Holidays can also trigger stressors for a lot of us. Traveling, expenses, and switching up your routine are just a few reasons why experts say people may turn to alcohol. A new study from UCLA found Americans drink double their typical amount of alcohol come Christmas time. And Diversion’s Alley, Jenner John, shows what you can do to make sure you and your family members are waking up with no regrets.
Denver7 News
The more you hear this sound, the more tempted you may be to turn to this one.
Steve Carleton
While it can be a time for celebration, it can also be a time for things to go a little sideways.
Denver7 News
Chief Clinical Officer at Porch Light Health, Steve Carleton, says this time of year, people tend to increase their alcohol consumption.
Steve Carleton
It’s a really normal time for people to drink more and get out of those routines.
Denver7 News
While it may be normal, what’s not, he says, is thinking of drinking as a path with only two routes.
Steve Carleton
It’s either, “I have a problem with alcohol and I need to quit drinking completely,” or, “I don’t have a problem and I can just go on business as usual.”
Denver7 News
Instead, he says, understand there’s middle ground. Carleton says people are experts in themselves, and sometimes it’s small changes instead of a full stop that can keep you safe.
Steve Carleton
If going to the bar with Uncle Jim is a bad idea, don’t go to the bar, right? If you know that drinking whiskey or drinking tequila or vodka is a bad idea, think about switching to beer or wine. Maybe in between every drink, you order a soda water in lime.
Denver7 News
And maybe you’re not worried about yourself. Maybe it’s a loved one. Carleton gives four signs to look out for. Loss of control. Maybe someone is drinking more than they often mean to. Social and occupational consequences, like problems in relationships or at work. Riskiness. Dangerous behavior, like drinking and driving. And physiological signs, like needing more alcohol or getting sick when you don’t have it.
Steve Carleton
I think being a sounding board, right, for that type of thing. It’s important as a family member to be compassionate and supportive.
Denver7 News
In Denver, Ellie Jinnarjohn, Denver 7.
Denver7 News
Heads up, though, to keep Colorado safe on the roads this holiday season. Cedat is ramping up DUI enforcement. Now, through Christmas, Colorado drivers can expect increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints.
DENVER — The holiday season is a time for celebration and a lot of stress.
Traveling, expenses, and switching up your routine are just a few reasons Steve Carleton, chief clinical officer at Porch Light Health, said people may turn to alcohol.
“While it can be a time for celebration, it can also be a time for things to go a little sideways,” he said.
He said this time of year is in the top three for times when people increase their alcohol consumption.
“It’s a really normal time to drink more and get out of those routines,” Carleton said.
While it may be normal, what’s not is thinking of drinking as a path with only two routes.
