Dr. C. Tom Brophy, the medical director at the Gaiser Addiction Center, said he's not surprised that people struggle with alcohol more around the holidays.

The bright lights of the holiday season can conceal a dark truth.

According to a survey by Detox.net, an online resource for finding drug and alcohol detox centers, the average Pennsylvanian consumes nearly 30% of his overall alcohol intake for the entire year during the end-of-year holiday season, beginning on Thanksgiving.

The national average is 29%. To put it another way, one-third of Pennsylvanians' annual alcohol consumption for the year takes place in just a six-week period.

The survey also reveals:

22% of drinkers say they mentally prepare themselves prior to the drinking season.

A quarter of drinkers said they will drink more this year as compared to previous years due to the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

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