When COVID-19 became a global pandemic and people were forced to isolate themselves in their homes, it was easy to predict that mental health would suffer. When people lost their incomes and their jobs and businesses, we knew that depression and other mental health issues would spike. As people continue to be isolated, out of work, and there are so many deaths, it is also no surprise that alcohol use would increase globally. And it has. Many of us who were healthy before the pandemic may now suffer from addiction to alcohol.
The Perfect Storm
A global pandemic is the perfect storm for mental health issues and increased alcohol and drug use. Think about it. Suddenly, everyone is stuck at home and cannot participate in normal activities. Many are not working and have more time on their hands than before. Then there is the constant barrage of news about the virus and the numbers of people infected and dying. Many people know someone who died and then suffered great loss and grief. Fear of the unknown sets in, and so does anxiety, depression, and addiction.
A study published in June cited online alcohol sales in the United States going up 240% in March when stay-at-home orders were first put in place. This included an increase in purchases of strong liquors by 75%, wine sales increased by 66%, and sales of beer increased by 42%. This followed the trend after previous times of emergency, including after terrorist acts, natural disasters, and economic crises. This is not news. We know that alcohol has long been used as a coping mechanism in times of stress. However, the problem of excessive alcohol use and the accompanying issues becomes much bigger when it is on a global scale.
When Things Go From Bad to Worse
After everything shut down and healthcare workers were struggling to save lives in overcrowded hospitals, many people who had just been placed on paid leave were then laid off as the pandemic waned on. With so few industries even hiring people, and then only primarily to keep up with new demands that would prove temporary, the loss of income and such dim employment prospects took things from bad to worse. For many, this also meant the loss of healthcare, which is even more frightening in the face of a global health crisis.
Any of the factors that surround this pandemic could cause anxiety and depression or could lead to an increase in the consumption of alcohol. A global crisis of this proportion could drive anyone to drink. However, as most people know, consuming alcohol never solves anyone’s problems and it typically only compounds them. People who were previously mentally healthy have found themselves turning to alcohol to forget, to escape, or to self-medicate. Increased alcohol use took things from bad to worse.
The Dangers of Self-Medication
Drinking to cope with problems such as depression and anxiety, also known as self-medication, can be very dangerous. A study published online at the end of June noted a direct correlation of increased alcohol use as a form of self-medication. This study also noticed a sharper increase in women drinking more alcohol than men. Mental health and suicide rates have also increased sharply during the pandemic. When combined with depression and/or anxiety, increased alcohol use can lead to addiction and all of the associated problems, or even severe depression and suicide.
One study noted an increase in the risks of contracting COVID-19 amongst those with substance abuse issues. This included those with new addictions as well as those who had relapsed. The study indicated that this global pandemic and another public health threat, substance abuse, were on track to create a much larger public health threat that encompasses both.
Long Term Impact
Even when the pandemic ends and we can hopefully resume some semblance of the life we knew before COVID-19, the impact of increased alcohol use will continue. Excessive alcohol use and abuse will impair our ability to function, to have healthy relationships with family and friends, be productive, and maintain a job, as well as to have good mental health. Addiction has far-reaching and long-term effects on our lives that can be difficult to recover from.
Access to Care
For some people, access to care for alcohol abuse and addiction was limited by the virus when everything shut down. However, most residential treatment facilities are still open during this difficult time. Whether we are amongst those who have relapsed or our addiction is directly related to alcohol abuse associated with this global crisis, help is available to allow us to heal and create a new normal for our own lives.
This global pandemic has changed life for everyone. For so many of us, unfortunately, it has also changed our alcohol use. Whether you relapsed in your recovery, or your efforts to self-medicate have created an addiction that is no longer within your control to stop, you can change your post-pandemic lives by taking action now. Calling Rancho Milagro Recovery today at (951) 526-4582 can be the first step toward healing your life that has been so impacted by COVID-19. Our beautiful Temecula ranch is a safe place to get treatment for alcohol addiction and we follow strict guidelines to keep everyone safe during this disconcerting time. This year has been so difficult for all of us, but you can turn things around for your own life. Alcohol addiction caused by this crisis is the one thing that you can take control of right now. So make the phone call and take your life back today.