Commentary: Staying sober on the Fourth

The Fourth of July is an incredibly festive time for millions of American families nationwide. It’s typically filled with picnics, barbecues, fireworks, days at the beach, sitting by the pool and spending quality time with family and friends. The Fourth of July is also America’s top beer-drinking holiday. Over $1 billion is estimated to be spent on beer over the holiday. It is no secret that copious amounts of alcohol are consumed, and binge drinking is common. In Washington state, roughly 15% of adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month, according to drugabusestatistics.org. Holidays like July 4 can be challenging for someone in recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction, especially early on. Fortunately, there are practical tips that anyone can use to stay sober this Fourth of July weekend.