How the end of daylight saving time can affect addiction and substance use

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.