From camping and backyard barbecues to mountain hikes and lake trips, summer is packed with opportunities to soak up the sun and have some fun. But with all that sunshine and socializing comes a lesser-known seasonal side effect: a sharp rise in alcohol consumption. Studies show drinking spikes nearly 20% in July compared to January.
While summer is often celebrated as a season of health and happiness, mixing alcohol with outdoor activities can lead to serious risks, especially for those struggling with or recovering from alcohol-use disorder (AUD).
To better understand the seasonal surge in alcohol use and its implications, CU Anschutz communications specialist Laura Kelley sat down with Joseph Schacht, PhD, a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, who specializes in AUD.