St. Patrick’s Day, a cultural and religious celebration held every March 17th, honors the foremost patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick.
However, in the United States, St. Patrick’s Day is most often identified with raucous crowds, green beer and overt drunkenness. Typical activities include bar crawls, vomiting of green beer, arrests and the day after television news stations showing film of the previous day’s debauchery.
Everyone enjoys a celebration, especially one that for many years has been based around food, friends and spirits. However, in such a case, it is absolutely imperative to remember that there is a fine line between celebration and tragedy. Often, the lowered inhibitions of alcohol can turn a St. Patrick’s Day celebration into a St. Patrick’s Day nightmare. Nobody plans on going out to celebrate a holiday and end up sick, arrested, in jail or dead. However, this can be the case if one isn’t careful.
Preventing Drinking and Driving in Maryland
Police DUI checkpoints are always ramped up on St. Patrick’s Day. Remember not to drink and drive. Calling a cab or UBER is a much smarter way to travel than putting yourself and other driver’s on the road in peril. Arrests for public intoxication and drunken disorderly conduct also increase exponentially during St. Patrick’s Day. Planning to get blackout drunk in a public place on St. Patrick’s Day puts other people at risk and puts you at risk.
Everyone enjoys a celebration, but drinking responsibly, not drinking and driving and not acting out is a good way not to get arrested or receive a DUI/DWI. These types of consequences are preventable.
Finally, for those people that are in recovery on St. Patrick’s Day, remember that not drinking doesn’t have to make a holiday like St. Patrick’s Day any less of a celebration. There are many people happy and sober in recovery that go out, have fun and enjoy St. Patrick’s Day without booze. If you are new in recovery and feeling concerned about the holiday, make sure to talk openly and honestly with your sponsor, sober supports and therapist. Make sure to express your concerns and learn from others’ experiences having fun during the holidays while sober. Don’t worry- everyone in recovery has felt those feelings, has been there and have gotten through it and learned how to have fun, be safe and be sober on St. Patrick’s Day.
If you or someone you know is in need of help because of drug and/or alcohol abuse, please give us a call. Maryland Addiction Recovery Center offers the most comprehensive addiction treatment in the Baltimore County, Baltimore City and entire Maryland/DC area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or your loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a treatment center or provider that best fits your needs. Please give us a call at (410) 773-0500 or email our team at Contact us today.