Liquor stores see some of their best sales headed into the holidays, but with the growing economic trouble, more people are abusing everything from alcohol to drugs to escape their problems.

"This is our busiest time of year," said Ty Fleming, a manager at ABC Discount Wine & Liquor in Wichita.

As the economic slump continues to create a host of financial troubles across the country, some business are booming.
While alcohol sales are typically high during the holidays, owners said they expect numbers to stay strong in the coming months, even with the bad economy.

"They're not buying the expensive stuff, but they're still buying," said Fleming.

Substance abuse counselors said they're also bracing for a boom in business, but it's one they'd rather not see.

"What we anticipate is you will see more substance abuse, domestic violence and perhaps even child abuse as a result of the increase in crisis for families," said Shirley Toy, assistant director at Higher Ground Treatment Facility.

Treatment providers here in Wichita said with the struggling economy and layoffs happening as we head into the holidays, the chance more people will turn to alcohol and drugs as an attempt to escape is growing.

"They can kind of numb it out and get it to go away. But when they sober back up, then their problems are right back and they're bigger than ever," said Toy.

Shirley toy said Higher Ground expects to see the wave of people seeking help hit within the next few weeks. But she said as workers brace for more clients, they face another problem thanks to the economy.

"We have public funding which often times gets cut," said Toy.

For now, treatment providers said they're just focused on being ready to provide help for an issue they don't see getting better anytime soon.

"Substance abuse in our community is a problem and there are a number of people providing help services and we do the best we can," said Toy.

Higher Ground expects to treat more than 800 families this year, in addition to 500 children.