Christmas, parties and getting loose in the silly season
Do you remember that feeling you used to get, as the end of the school term approached and everything seemed to wind down a little? The days felt shorter and more relaxed, learning and work were all but wrapped for the year, and there was the buzz of excitement in the air for the coming festive celebrations.
Do you ever still get that feeling?
It doesn t seem to matter how long it s been since we left school, something nostalgic kicks in at Christmas time and we feel that same sense of relaxation, oddly mixed with a little excitement. Christmas can be a fun, crazy and electric time of the year when we get it right but can come with some nasty consequences when we get it wrong. To get you ready for Chrissy, here are our five tips on substance use during the silly season:
Don t drink and drive or drive stoned!
Number one can only ever be this tip we all see road accidents spike at Christmas time and other holiday periods and taking a few minutes to make a quick plan or two can mean the difference between life and death. It is illegal (and dangerous) to use drugs like weed, ice, ecstasy and a range of other drugs anytime and even more dangerous to drive stoned or use these other drugs before driving. There is also a legal limit for alcohol consumption before driving. Make sure you have a plan b for getting home in one piece.
Don t get hazy on the rules at work
Seemingly less focus on the rules at the end of year, can be temptation for some people to put workplace drug policy to the side and try and get away with something to make the day more exciting or more relaxing. Just because you re on the wind down, doesn t mean random testing and safety aren t still big priorities in your organisation using drugs before or during work can not only cost you your job, but may also cost you a mate regardless of what time of year it is.
Don t become office gossip
We all know someone who has let loose at the company Christmas party and become that person. They ll be the topic of water cooler gossip for months to come. Whether it was the swinging around the marquee pole like a stripper or telling the CEO what they really thought, that person will never forget this year s Christmas party well the bits they can actually remember anyway. Substances like alcohol and some drugs can loosen you up a little too much, remove your inhibitions and cause you to do or say things that can make you cringe later. Think about what you re taking, who s around you and how a slip up might affect your relationship or future giving the boss a piece of your mind can be a career-limiting move.
High holidays
For cannabis smokers, the holiday season can seem like the perfect time to smoke a few joints and shoot off on a quick surfing holiday or a relaxing break. This year, remember to keep in mind that smoking weed is not often a good mix and match with your usual summer holiday activities. Using weed can affect your depth perception, coordination, reaction time and various other skills that are important to driving (it s also illegal to drive stoned), and even things like surfing. It can also impair your judgement, which means swimming stoned is not safe, and high risk or extreme activities shouldn t even be a consideration while stoned.
Developing a bad case of couch potato
Smoking weed (especially a lot of weed from a young age) can have an effect on your motivation, so while Chrissy and the end of work may seem like a great time to light up for a serious holiday sesh, will you be too demotivated to drag your backside from the couch next year to get back into the routine of work?
Know someone who may be likely to become that person at the office Chrissy party, try to catch a wave stoned or think they can get away with a sneaky lunch time joint? Send them these tips to keep the risk front of mind. Or if you re interested more information on any of these topics check out our cannabis and driving page, or our Marijuana facts page.