Clocks “falling back” may seem benign – we get an extra hour of sleep, after all – but for some people in recovery or struggling with substance abuse, the end of daylight saving time (DST) can be a real setback. The disruption to sleep and internal rhythms, combined with colder weather, shorter days and the onset of holiday pressures, can create a perfect storm of vulnerability for relapse.
Joseph Schacht, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and neuroscientist at CU Anschutz specializing in alcohol-use disorder (AUD). Below, Laura Kelley, media relations professional in the CU Anschutz Office of Communications, speaks with Schacht about practical strategies for maintaining recovery during this shift, guidance for loved ones and new research efforts aimed at supporting people through high-risk seasonal changes.