When people talk about factors that can increase the risk of developing an addiction, what comes to mind? Genetics? Social group? Trauma? What about summer? It sounds surprising, but research shows people can be more susceptible to using drugs during the warmer months [1].
For example, alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are highest among college students when it’s summer. Meanwhile, the most people start using cocaine, LSD, and ecstasy in summer compared with other seasons [1]. Visits to the emergency department in Europe due to drug intoxication also peak in summer [2].
A combination of more free time, social activities that encourage drug use, heat-related stress, and travel can contribute to increased drug use and a higher risk of addiction. Let’s take a closer look at why and how you can stay safe in summertime.
Why Is Drug Use Higher in Summer?
There are a number of reasons why drug initiation and drug use are higher in the summer. Whether you’re trying a substance for the first time, or have already tried drugs casually, these factors can exacerbate use:
Free Time. Summer months mean longer days, more time spent outdoors, and more drive to keep busy. For many people, it can bring a sense of boredom, as they don’t know how to occupy themselves, or they’re simply curious about new experiences. Free time can lead people to be more willing to try drugs because they want to enjoy the summer and believe they have enough time to recover after experimenting.
For a person who has already tried drugs but hasn’t advanced to an addiction, the extra time can be a slippery slope into habit-forming behaviors.
Social Activities. Summer comes with events such as music festivals where drug use is common. Being in more party settings with people who encourage or allow drug use is dangerous for anyone who is prone to addiction. Alcohol intake also goes up in summer, and alcohol use can lower inhibitions that make someone think twice about trying or using other addictive substances [3].
Heat-Related Stress. High temperatures and uncomfortable changes in climate such as humidity, can make people feel more stressed than normal during summer. They may be more likely to use drugs to cope with negative feelings or to temporarily “escape” their environment. Research shows mood disorders and self-harm get worse in very hot weather, which also correlates to an increased risk of substance use [4].
Studies have additionally identified that people with an existing substance use disorder (SUD) are more sensitive to heat because of disrupted thermoregulation [5]. This group of people may use substances more frequently, or higher doses of substances in the summer because they don’t immediately register changes in their health.
Perceived Travel Anonymity. Summer vacations, whether abroad or domestically, can bring a sense of being unknown in a new place and being able to behave in different ways. While a person may always decline drugs when in their hometown, they might be more willing to try substances in a foreign scene. They may also think there are fewer repercussions because of the temporary nature of the visit. The reality, though, is that for some drugs, addiction can develop after just a single use.
Who Is Most At Risk of Developing an Addiction?
Anyone can develop an addiction at any time. That said, young people are particularly vulnerable to addiction because their brains are still developing and they are largely driven by reward-seeking behavior. During summer, they are also likely to have free time, engage in social activities, travel, and be sensitive to stress intensified by the heat.
Other characteristics that make someone more likely to develop an addiction (at any time of the year) are:
- The substance they are using (opioids and stimulants are more addictive than other substances)
- How often they are using substances and in what dose
- If they are mixing addictive substances
- If they have a co-occurring mental health disorder (e.g., depression or anxiety)
- If they have a history of addiction in the family
- Their socioeconomic status
- Experiences of trauma, including childhood and complex trauma
Tips to Stay Safe Around Drugs in Summer
Summer can be fun and still be a safe time. If you’re worried about being around drugs or about addiction risk in the warm months, there are steps you can take to look after yourself.
Avoid social gatherings and events with drug use. The most effective action is to not attend parties with drugs or spend time with people who use drugs. This option is difficult if that limits your social circle, but it can be motivation to find other activities that are better suited to your interests and summer plans.
Limit drinking alcohol. Alcohol lowers inhibitions and can be dangerous when mixed with substances. If you’re going on a night out, set a maximum drink limit. If you’re drinking during the hot days, make sure you stay hydrated with water and electrolytes.
Practice saying “no”. It’s a great skill to have. “No” doesn’t have to be aggressive, it can be a calm refusal when someone offers you a substance or is peer-pressuring you into a behavior.
Manage stress. If you’re working, preparing for a big trip, or simply feeling overwhelmed in the heat, find ways to destress. Yoga, meditation, cold plunges, and spending time in nature can help you feel calm and connected to the world, and less likely to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism.
Know your triggers. If you have previously struggled with drug use, or if you have taken drugs casually before, think about what preceded the use and try to identify patterns. Was a particular person there? Had something happened? These are your triggers, and once you know them, you can be conscious not to repeat them.
Addiction Treatment at Trinity Wellness Group, Massachusetts
Summer drug use may start casually, but it can quickly accumulate into addiction. At our center near Milton, we offer tailored addiction care, run by a team of licensed specialists. Our full and half-day outpatient programs are suitable for anyone who is stable enough to live at home, but who requires intense support to overcome drug dependency.
We integrate evidence-based therapies in our programs, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) where clinically needed, and a range of holistic activities. We take a trauma-informed approach, making sure that we treat addiction symptoms but also look at the driving forces and unprocessed trauma that often lie underneath addiction.
We’re empathetic, and we work at a pace that suits each person’s needs.
One phone call could be the start of a new life path. Speak with our admissions team today.
Sources
[1] Palamar, J. et al. 2019. Summer as a Risk Factor for Drug Initiation. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
[2] Wood, D. et al. 2016. Hospital emergency presentations and acute drug toxicity in Europe — update from the Euro-DEN Plus research group and the EMCDDA. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
[3] Sohal, A. et al. 2022. Seasonal Variations of Hospital Admissions for Alcohol-Related Hepatitis in the United States. Gastroenterology Research.
[4] Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 2026. When it’s really hot, mental health can suffer. hpsp.harvard.edu.
[5] Chang, H. et al. 2023. Associations between short-term ambient temperature exposure and emergency department visits for amphetamine, cocaine, and opioid use in California from 2005 to 2019. Environment International.