The Downside Of Big Sporting Events:

With the AFL Grand Final on this weekend I thought I would take the opportunity to highlight what a dangerous time this can be for those in active addiction, recovery, and partners of those in active addiction. 

Unfortunately, sporting events in general are largely based around substance use, but in particular, Australian football really seems to foster the “getting wasted” culture. For me, Grand Final day was always a big “run a muck” weekend, especially when Geelong was in it. I still remember the 2007 Grand Final like it was yesterday. I was at a house party that went for 3 days. We hired a DJ, we drank copious amounts of alcohol, and there was an array of party drugs on offer. We drove through town off our faces hanging out of the sun roof waving our scarfs around. Our driver got pulled over by police and was arrested for having a warrant out for his arrest, as well as for being over the alcohol limit whilst driving. A few of the guys got in a punch on, and a married couple got in a really unpleasant fight in front of everyone. Needless to say what started out as a happy, fun day, quickly turned into a drama filled weekend.

That’s the problem though when alcohol and drugs are involved, people can quickly become aggressive and violent. Which makes such events a particularly dangerous time for those who are in domestic violent relationships. Victoria Police report that family/domestic violence incidents increase by about 20% on AFL Grand Final day compared with a “normal” day. 

That’s a really scary increase for one sporting event! Not to mention the increased risk for addicts who are in recovery – it’s a major threat for a relapse to occur. When everyone around you is celebrating with a drink in hand, it becomes almost impossible for the addict to resist the temptation. In fact, amongst Australian culture it’s quite usual for friends, acquaintances, and sometimes family members to encourage the recovering addict to relapse. There’s a real uncomfortableness that party goers feel around someone who is abstaining from substances in their presence. I’ve experienced this myself on numerous occasions where people try to peer pressure me into drinking or taking drugs. Obviously, this is about their own issues with substances, but it can completely derail a recovering addict if they are still relying on sheer willpower to abstain from their addiction.  

It’s also a really dangerous time for those in active addiction because there is this “go hard, or go home” mentality within Australian culture. It can push an addict into consuming way above a safe limit of substances. When everyone is cheering and egging you on, rational thought and decision making can fly right out the window…

This is why I just avoid going anywhere or doing anything on AFL Grand Final weekend. It brings back too many crazy and out of control memories. Not to mention, it’s just not fun for me anymore being around drunk and high people. I find them incredibly boring and nonsensical! I also don’t appreciate the peer pressure that intoxicated people love to exhibit. I could have gone to the rehab I work at, they were hosting a dry celebration. But I decided it’s one of those weekends where I am just better off staying at home – away from all the drunken idiots on the road and the streets.  

Whatever you ended up doing yesterday, I hope that you are safe! I hope that you stayed true to yourself and your recovery. And if you did relapse, hit it too hard, or you’ve experienced some kind of abuse, I hope that in the wake of today you have the strength and courage to go and get yourself the help that you need! 

• Please reach out to us at Your Recovery House if you or a loved one have relapsed and need some support.

• Please also reach out to 1800RESPECT if you are experiencing domestic violence.

#sportingevents #aflgrandfinal #addiction #relapse #domesticviolence