Health & Wellness

Checklist for safer celebrating this season

Jessica Bridgeman, manager, Harm Reduction, demonstrates how drugs are checked.

The festive season is kicking into high gear. You may already be pulling out the ugly Christmas sweaters and are preparing for holiday parties, or have already gone to a few celebrations.

Whether you go to a house party, a local restaurant or bar, the office or a bonfire, take a minute to make sure you're prepared to party safely with these holiday season tips from our Harm Reduction team.

Plan ahead

Eat, drink and be merrier the next day

Make sure you've had a good meal before heading out. Have water handy in a bottle, and try to keep hydrating throughout the night. Eat and drink water before and while you drink alcohol. This will help you feel full so you drink less alcohol. Alternate your alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks.

The holiday spirit: Tips for drinking in moderation this season

Choose your crew

Holidays are a time for celebrating with old friends, family and new people. Make sure you have people you trust around you and look out for each other. Being alone, or finding yourself around unsafe people while intoxicated, can take the fizz out of this festive season and put you in harm’s way.

Don’t get stranded

If you plan to drink or do drugs, leave your car and keys at home. Plan ahead to make sure you have a safe ride home. A taxi, public transit, a ride share service or Operation Red Nose can get you home safely. Driving impaired is illegal, as is driving high.

Here for a good time – and a long time

No surprises this year

We all love a surprise when it comes to gifts, but if you're using drugs this season give yourself some peace of mind by checking your supply. Visit drugchecking.ca for a drug checking site location and hours near you.

Pace yourself

Start low and go slow. You might overdo it on the Christmas cookies; don't make the same mistake with alcohol and other drugs.

If you’re considering going dry in the New Year as part of your resolutions, know that if you suddenly stop or cut back on drinking without a doctor’s help, you could end up with serious or even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Learn more.

Leave the mixing to the DJ

Ring in the New Year – not 911. Try to avoid mixing drugs, and stick to one substance at a time. Different substances can interact in the body, making it tricky to judge your tolerance and side effects. Tripsit provides charts so you can check drug combinations.

Naloxone: Give the gift of life this year

This season, be ready to give the gift of life. Naloxone is a medication that can quickly reverse the effects of an overdose from opioids. You can pick up a free naloxone kit, as well as overdose prevention and response training, at more than 1,300 sites across B.C. Many community pharmacies also offer free kits.

Reach out – any door is the right door

The holidays can bring joy – but they can also be mentally and emotionally draining even for the most resilient people.

If you're experiencing prolonged mental health challenges, such as sleep or appetite issues, low mood, or problematic substance use, contact your doctor, primary care provider or counsellor in your community.

Call 310-MHSU (6478) to reach your local Mental Health and Substance Use centre within Interior Health. No area code is required. 

For rapid access to addiction medication, including OAT and prescriptions for alcohol use, you can request an appointment with our Virtual Addiction Medicine Clinic from wherever you are by filling in a simple form. We’ll contact you and connect you with an addiction medicine specialist.

If you’re experiencing feelings of hopelessness and thoughts of self-harm, these services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays:

Drug checking locations and hours

For the latest information on drug checking hours and locations visit:

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