By Heather Tompkins, Ph.D., MS-ATR, LCMHC
As the season shifts into Fall decorations, sweater weather, and pumpkin everything, October notably brings with it the spirit of creativity and imagination of Halloween. While Halloween is largely associated with costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating, along with this season comes Halloween party culture. This season of fun also recognizes October as Substance Use Prevention Month. Here are a few tips for keeping substance awareness and safety in mind as people of all ages partake in the festivities.
“Hidden Tricks among the Treats”
For youth and teens Halloween gatherings and parties can be a time for fun and socialization with peers. Along with these festivities can bring peer influence and the potential exposure to underage drinking, vaping, and misuse of prescription medication. For parents, awareness and early communication are essential to keeping Halloween safe. Parents are encouraged to approach Halloween safety with openness, empathy, and structure.
Here are a few preventative steps parents can take:
- Talk with teens about peer pressure and substance use. Be honest with them, allow them to ask questions, and promote an open dialogue around the topic, rather than a hardline approach of demands and consequences.
- Know their Halloween plans, including where they are going and who they are with. Have plans for communication including periodic check-ins via text or calls, as well as discuss having location services turned on or using a locator app. Set a curfew for them to be home.
- Trust them and give them an out for safe pick-up and transport if their plans change, they become uncomfortable, or if they engage in activities that could be unsafe. This could also be in the form of a code word or phrase that the teen can text or use during a phone call to prevent unwanted attention, but still communicate they want to leave the environment.
- Be their support/resource- let them know they can call anytime, no questions, and get a ride/pick up to get home safely. Place their safety first and the discussion around choices and behavior can follow.
Even a brief conversation before Halloween can have a big impact. Prevention isn’t about control- it’s about connection, trust, and awareness.
“Halloweekend”
For college students, Halloween is noted as one of the peak drinking events of the academic year, often extending across multiple days of festivities promoting excessive and binge drinking. Specifically around Halloween night, national data highlights elevations in drunk-driving fatalities and binge drinking trends.
A few tips to remember to stay safe while still having fun:
- Keep your cell phone charged, on, and on your person.
- Communicate where you are going to be- even if multiple places- provide check- ins via text or call. Turn on the location finder or have a tracker app on your phone.
- Have a designated driver or plan to use a rideshare. Have a back-up plan if pickups are delayed and unavailable.
- Have a plan. Travel in groups and have code words/phrases for when it’s time to leave or something/someone is making you uncomfortable.
If you plan to drink, be responsible:
- Pace and limit your alcohol intake. Balance alcohol intake with food and hydration.
- Skip the open punch bowls. Bring your own or only drink from cans/bottles you open. If at a bar or environment serving drinks, watch the drink being made.
- Don’t leave your drink or drink from one that has been sitting. Keep your eyes on your drink from initial pour to trash.
- Have an exit strategy and discuss this with your friends/family prior to going out.
Maintaining Recovery
Lastly, for individuals who are in or navigating recovery, Halloween party culture can serve as a trigger or risk for relapse.
To help maintain recovery, the following tips are recommended:
- Avoid high-risk environments (e.g., house parties, bars, and costume events) where alcohol and drugs are central.
- Watch out for hidden substances such as homemade baked goods, punch, or open beverages.
- Plan substance-free alternative activities such as hosting a gathering, watching scary movies, carving pumpkins, or handing out candy to trick-or-treaters.
- Attend a local support group or meeting.
- If you do attend a social event, ensure you have an exit strategy, such as a trusted sober friend/companion or a plan to leave early if you become uncomfortable.
By knowing your risks/triggers, utilizing your coping skills, and engaging in safe activities, you can engage in Halloween festivities that help to support and maintain your recovery.
While the Halloween spirit is reflected in the creative costumes, spooky decorations, and festivals. A little planning and communication can help to keep it a time of fun and folic for yourself, family, friends, and patients by being aware and safe about how to engage in the festivities.
The opinions in CDP Staff Perspective blogs are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Science or the Department of War.
Heather Tompkins, Ph.D., MS-ATR, LCMHC,, is a Military Mental Health Psychologist with the Consortium for Defense Psychology (CDP) at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. In this role, she provides oversight and fosters collaboration for creative arts related research projects in partnership with the Defense Intrepid Network.
References:
California Recovery Center. (2022). Tips for Recovery from Substance Abuse During Halloween. Retrieved from https://calrecoverycenter.com/tips-for-enjoying-halloween- during-recovery-from-substance-abuse/
Fitzke, R.E., Tran, D.D., Hummer, J.F., Davis, J.P., Prince, M.A., Prindle. J.J., Lee, D.S., Pedersen, E.R. (2023). High Spirits? Exploring "Halloweekend" Alcohol and Cannabis Use Among Heavy-Drinking College Students. Journal of Studies of Alcohol and Drugs, 84(4):520-529. doi: 10.15288/jsad.22-00284.
TeenLife. (2024). How to Ensure a Safe Halloween with Teens: Tips for Parents. Retrieved from https://www.teenlife.ngo/how-to-ensure-a-safe-halloween-with-teens- tips-for-parents/