Winter’s coming bringing many changes along with it–plunging temperatures, precipitation, shorter days, less sun.
These changes not only affect our heating bill and usual routes to work but also can affect our mental health and wellness. Did you know there are significantly more drug overdoses in the winter than at any other time of year, specifically those related to opioids?
Our nation is currently in the middle of an opioid crisis, with over 130 people dying a day from opioid-related drug overdoses. This number skyrockets even higher in the winter. The reasons for this increase involve several factors, including:
1. Winter Blues
Many individuals feel down in the colder months when the days are shorter due to the decrease in daylight hours, possible vitamin D deficiency, and decreased time spent outdoors. Less time in the sun can mean less serotonin, the “happy” chemical that supplies long-lasting feelings of happiness and well-being.
It is common for a generally happy-go-lucky person to struggle mentally in the winter. Gloomy days and lack of sun can be the culprit for mood changes, irritation, aggravation, and sadness. Someone who experiences winter blues will generally feel down some winter days and fine others. These mood changes often improve with the return of longer daylight hours in the spring.
Those who are regular opioid users or recovering from a substance addiction are more likely to turn to drugs in the wintertime than any other season to cope with the winter-related gloominess they may experience.
2. Seasonal Affective Disorder
Some winter blues are more than just passing and turn into full-blown depression. They are part of an actual condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is triggered by shorter days and lack of sunlight. While SAD can be mild to severe, it tends to return every winter season and persist all season long. It can cause intense feelings of depression and isolation that can increase the risk of overdose.
For those who struggle with SAD, it is essential to prepare for winter and take precautions to help treat the symptoms. Some helpful remedies include:
- Phototherapy: A treatment involving sitting in front of a light mimicking natural sunlight. Also known as light therapy, phototherapy helps regulate your mood by triggering happy chemicals in the brain.
- Getting outdoors: Even though it may be harder to get outside during the winter, you can still benefit from the effects of vitamin D when the sun is out. Go for walks, sit on your balcony, or go skiing. Whatever it may be, be sure to get outside during the winter.
- Psychotherapy: Therapy is an excellent tool for those who struggle with SAD. A professional therapist can help guide you through tools to conquer your seasonal depression and minimize feelings of worthlessness, isolation, and depression.
- Antidepressants: Your doctor may recommend a seasonal antidepressant before each winter season. Talk to your doctor about a prescription.
- Relocating: If your SAD is so severe that it jeopardizes your mental and physical well-being, consider moving to a place with mild, sunny winters.
3. Exacerbated Physical and Biological Symptoms
For those who already struggle with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, the winter season can intensify their symptoms. This can lead to an increased desire to self-medicate with substances. Excessive opioid use depresses the respiratory system, and cold temperatures can exacerbate this effect, causing an increased amount of fatal overdoses.
Substance use disorders are closely linked to homelessness, with prevalence rates in some homeless populations surpassing 50%. Due to the high rate of drug use among people experiencing homelessness, many opioid users face heightened risks for hypothermia during the winter months.
Opioids are painkillers, activating nerve cells in the brain and body called opioid receptors that stop pain signals between the brain and the body. While that might be good news for someone experiencing excruciating pain after surgery, it’s detrimental for someone undergoing hypothermia because their ability to feel is gone, and they may not be able to recognize their body going into shock from the cold.
This may lead to serious health risks and even death. In addition, aches and pains tend to intensify in cold weather. Those who deal with chronic pain may abuse opioids because their pain becomes too miserable on frigid days.
4. Lack of Social Opportunities
Because of the weather, social activities, especially outdoor ones, are less frequent in the winter. Drug use in the winter often stems from boredom and isolation, leading to drug use for self-entertainment purposes. Whether an overdose happens inside or outside during the winter, both scenarios mean less chance for a good samaritan to be around to notice what is going on and step in to help.
For those overcoming an addiction, it’s essential to surround yourself with people during the winter months as much as possible. Arrange to hang out with friends and family members who are uplifting to you. Go to public places such as malls, libraries, and stores to occupy your time. Sociality can be a source of safety and accountability.
5. Slower EMT Response Times
Think about how much longer it takes to get anywhere when the roads are icy and slippery. We often account for this by leaving for work earlier than usual. Unfortunately, EMTs don’t have the luxury of leaving early because they can’t plan ahead for emergencies.
Inclement weather often means slower response times for EMTs. Someone who is overdosing has minutes to live, so in the wintertime, that difference of five minutes in response time can be the difference between life and death.
As we head into the thick of winter temperatures, if you or someone you know is addicted to opioids, the first and foremost thing to do is to get help from a drug treatment facility. As an extra precaution, ask your local pharmacy if they have naloxone. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that rapidly reverses opioid overdoses. It’s sometimes referred to as the opioid antagonist because it clings to opioid receptors and reverses and blocks other opioids, such as morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. It saves lives every day.
That first step toward recovery can be challenging. Admitting that you need help is often the hardest part. But a substance abuse center is your ticket to improved mental and physical health, higher self-esteem, tools to manage addiction triggers, healthy coping mechanisms, and access to the most supportive community you could ever imagine. Those five ingredients are the recipe for long-term sobriety and a life you can feel proud of.