Addiction Recovery Blog

While some common household products such as toilet paper and eggs have been a struggle to find in stores during COVID, there has been no shortage of alcohol. Liquor stores, which are considered an essential service, have been busier than ever, with bars and restaurants having been temporarily closed. However, despite the lack of social gatherings and outings to bars, people are still getting their alcohol fix, many even increasing their alcohol consumption since the start of the pandemic. The Nanos poll, commissioned by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), revealed that 21% of Canadians under the age of 54 say they have increased the amount of alcohol they drink while at home during the pandemic. Surveys have shown that since March, Americans have been buying larger quantities of cheaper alcohol; there has also been an increase in cannabis usage, as well as anti-anxiety medication like Xanax and Aderrall.

Reasons for the increase

Lack of a consistent routine
With many being unemployed, or working from home during the pandemic, alcohol is no longer reserved for weekends or after work, because weekdays and weekends blur together. You may find that you don’t have a certain time you need to wake up, or a time to be finished working, so there seems to be no reason not to indulge in a drink.

Boredom
You may be thinking that a mundane at-home activity will be more interesting if you had a glass of wine while you do it. While it may seem harmless at first, this is a dangerous habit to get into and can lead to excessive drinking.

Stress
The uncertainty of the future, and when things will go back to normal can naturally spark the feeling of stress and anxiety. Many use alcohol as a means of coping with the financial stresses, relationship stresses, and other anxieties that are now heightened by the pandemic.

Loneliness
Being stuck at home, with very little social interaction can take a toll on us as humans, and drinking can be used as an attempt to fill the void that can only be filled by relationship and community with others.

How much is too much?
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men as being moderate drinking. It is important to realize, especially in the midst of a global pandemic, that heavy drinking lowers the immune system, which could make you more susceptible to contracting the virus, and make it more difficult to recover from illness.

What you can do instead of drinking

At Aquila Recovery of Virginia, you have the choice of what kind of treatment for your drug or alcohol addiction that you would like to receive during these difficult COVID times.  We offer both in person outpatient and remote treatment options for you, to ensure your safety while still delivering the highest level of care possible for you or your family. 

Some people in recovery from drug addiction may also suffer from other mental or physical medical issues. Of course, doctors might have prescribed medications to treat these other health concerns. If this describes you, you certainly should consider learning more about taking different types of prescription medication while you undergo treatment for drug addiction.

A major function of rehab is to help you to identify the environmental triggers that can lead you to relapse: all those toxic people, places, events, and situations that can create stress and push you back into getting high or drinking.

One of the challenges for friends, family members, and loved ones of those addicted to drugs and/or alcohol is Euphoric Recall. 

Cancer is terrifying. It’s indiscriminate and will present itself in the young and old, rich and poor, all skin colors, and all religions. However, that doesn’t mean that you cannot act to reduce your risks of cancer.

Everyone involved had hoped that your loved one would agree to get help and begin the healing process, but they weren't ready. Tempers flared and feelings were hurt. Either they refused to get any treatment, agreed to get treatment and then changed their mind, or left treatment early. Whatever the outcome was, the bottom line is that your plan didn't work.

Research into addiction rates is mixed, and long-term success rates vary greatly according to several factors. Availability of treatment programs, matching therapy type to individual needs, addressing mental health in addition to the addiction, and length of time can all play a critical role in in achieving positive outcomes in recovery. 

Based on current studies, here are some addiction recovery facts:

Has anyone ever accused you have having an drinking problem? Perhaps it was a well-intentioned friend or colleague who made a “joke” that felt like it was directed at you, or a family member who outright called you an alcoholic?

Addiction treatment programs in the United States follow many of the same foundations and principals, but because there are not mandatory certifications, accreditations, or training you can’t expect that you’ll receive the same level of service or professionalism regardless of where you go for treatment.