All around the world there are people battling addiction of various shapes and forms. Some of them are just learning of its existence and on the path to recovery while you also have those that have recovered, and are on the path to prevent a relapse. This global lockdown was expected, citizens all over the world knew it was coming but it doesn’t make getting through it any easier. Doctors and healthcare professionals on the frontline are battling this pandemic with the full force of the healthcare industry. Recovering addicts are worried that with the surge in cases of COVID 19, the lockdown means shutting down of all other non essential services. This means that they won’t be able to attend their regular meetings and seek help for their problems. For those, who are starting their road to recovery there is almost no other place to go besides a hospital, which not only increases their risk of exposure to the virus but also increases the chance that they may become carriers of the virus. For those already on the path to recovery, being cooped up in one place with virtually nothing to keep their minds occupied, it could lead to an increase in instances of relapses.
It is no secret that these trying times have led to increased feelings of anxiety and opened up the doors to an uncertain world. The future that was set in stone not too long ago, now seems engraved in the sand, ever-changing and never static. So it is only natural that during periods of high stress and anxiety, people are going to be looking for ways to alleviate that stress. It seems that most of them turn to alcohol and or drugs as methods to achieve that. So how much is too much?
Before we can analyse the how we can prevent this is, it is important to understand the reasons behind it. Statistics have shown that even before the pandemic, almost 55% of people surveyed consumed alcohol as a coping mechanism. This means that, alcohol is their solution to unwinding after a bad day and is an integral part of various self-care regimens. Over the course of this lockdown, social media has been flooded with pictures of “quarantinis” which promote the idea of lounging with a glass of alcohol in one hand. This can lead to consumers unfairly linking alcohol consumption with the idea of relaxation in this lockdown. Not only that, with increased feelings of anxiety and stress, alcohol can become a regular coping mechanism which no doubt, will lead increased dependency on alcohol to get through the day. Moreover, with the entire work from home scenario that has become a prominent part of our lives, it is easy to go down the path of causal day drinking more often as there no longer exists any need for professional behaviour outside of meetings. The lack of distinction between professional and personal life at home can lead to an increase in alcohol consumption. Suffice it to say, fighting this battle along with the war on COVID is essential if we are to try and prevent a surge in alcohol and drugs dependency amongst individuals and its resurgence in those on the road to recovery.
Understanding the possible reasons behind alcohol dependency form the first step in addressing the problem. The next step involves identifying the possible signs and indications that you might be heading down a path of alcohol dependency.
You set limits but are not able to stick to them: everyone has a self determined alcohol intake which they usually limit themselves to. But if one finds themselves going over that limit on a daily basis then that may be cause for concern. Individuals should be actively trying to stop themselves by engaging in other non-alcohol requiring activities such as playing a game or reading a book
Your stay at home plans involve alcohol: With the COVID19 pandemic most shopping malls and entertainment centres are closed. This means that any form of entertainment that you are indulging in is revolving around staying at home. If you start to notice that almost all of your plans involve intake of alcohol in some shape or form, it might be time to take a closer look on the types of plans you make. A finished movie does not also mean a finished bottle of wine, and a call with your friends definitely should not involve multiple glasses of Rosé.
You wake up with a hangover frequently: One of the more unfortunate side effects of alcohol consumptions involve a hangover the next day. If you notice yourself waking up with a hangover more often than before then it might be time to look at some ways you can reduce your alcohol consumption.
These options are just guidelines which may help you identify an increase in your drinking, if any. However, it is pertinent to note that not all dependency cycles start this way. They vary depending upon the person and the circumstances, it is never one size fits all. Therefore, while some maybe able to relate to these signs and take note of them while others might not.
The Road to recovery from alcohol dependency is a long one. In these trying times, there are a lot of things that remain uncertain.There is a fine line between a casual drink or two and developing the compulsive need to drink. One has to be able recognise and differentiate between the two. The pandemic has forced us to examine our priorities and given us time to introspect which our previously hectic schedules has no time for. Therefore, it is important to be able to introspect while making your decisions which can help you make healthy choices and utilise healthy coping mechanisms to deal with your stress and anxiety.
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