Alcohol Abuse During COVID
- Mar 5, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 3
The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it an unprecedented set of challenges, leading to a significant increase in alcohol abuse as people grappled with isolation and uncertainty. This trend is not new; similar spikes have been observed during other national crises. The good news is that we have the information to understand this problem and what can be done to help.
What caused the rise in alcohol abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The rise in alcohol abuse during COVID-19 was primarily driven by increased stress, fear, and boredom due to isolation, job loss, and remote work. The easy availability of alcohol delivery and blurred boundaries between work and home also made it easier for people to misuse alcohol, leading to the development of addiction.
This is just the beginning of what you need to know about the rise of alcohol abuse during the pandemic and its impact. Keep reading to learn more about how this trend affected health and what healthy coping mechanisms can be used instead.
Why did alcohol abuse increase during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Alcohol abuse during COVID increased as overdoses were on the rise throughout the pandemic. Isolation while things seemed so grim has caused many to use substances as a way to cope.
Alcohol delivery apps and plenty of free time while locked in the house made it easy for others to misuse alcohol, ultimately developing addiction in quarantine. It is important to learn information about how alcohol use during the pandemic has been on the rise and what can be done about this issue.
Coping With Uncertainty
The rise in alcohol use during COVID became ubiquitous. As uncertain times pressed on continuously, people lost jobs, moved to at-home working and learning, had more stressful work environments, and dealt with loss, grief, and fear of the future. Many of those without resources turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Alcohol use became a distraction from both fear and boredom. Closed bars made it that much easier to drink at home, and the blurred lines between work hours and home hours made it easier to justify day drinking.
2020 and 2021 had record-breaking relapses and overdoses due to recovery resources that were more limited than before. Many treatment centers and rehabilitation clinics closed doors as they developed COVID-safe treatment plans and policies in the wake of the pandemic. In-person services were replaced with telehealth, and hugging was replaced with social distancing. EMS and other first responders were overworked and stretched thin, responding both to a rise in COVID-related deaths and overdose deaths.
Alcohol use on the rise is not a new phenomenon. There has been a recorded increase in alcohol use during natural or national disasters, such as during Hurricane Katrina and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This increase often correlates with rising stress levels, consuming a lot of negative media, and dealing with grief. In the particular case of the pandemic, the duration of the COVID-19 emergency has made it worse and much more dangerous.
Alcohol Abuse During COVID: Isolation Has Only Made It Worse
Being unable to physically seek support has made it hard for those in treatment and recovery. It has also become a challenge for people who have developed new mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression, as a result of the pandemic. They may be unaware of these unhealthy symptoms and are slower to seek help.
According to reports of an online survey, of the 832 responses, 60% reported an increase in drinking during the pandemic, while one-third or 34% reported binge drinking. The reason for increased drinking included reasons such as stress, boredom, and increased alcohol availability.
While alcohol use can have adverse effects on mental health, it can also disrupt the immune system. During a global pandemic, this can spell disaster. As excessive alcohol use has been on the rise, doctors worry about individuals' immune systems and their ability to fight off the virus, if contracted.
Alcohol can disrupt the body's ability to fight off bacterial and viral infections. Additionally, excessive alcohol use can disturb one's respiratory function, which becomes even more dangerous in the wake of a virus that targets the lungs. These paired together can increase the risk of severe COVID symptoms on top of a higher risk of mortality.
While drinking alcohol might temporarily help with psychological effects and pain from mental health symptoms, drinking can actually worsen mental health in the short and long term. Drinking alcohol can also worsen anxiety and depression, as well as affect memory, and increase symptoms of insomnia.
Don’t Quit Drinking Cold Turkey
If an individual has developed alcohol use disorder because of the pandemic, they should not try to quit drinking on their own. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can be deadly, and severe cases require medically-assisted detox. Those who quit despite drinking large amounts of alcohol can put themselves at risk for full-body tremors, seizures, and even death.
Coping With the Effects of the Pandemic Without Substance Use
Alcohol or substance misuse might feel like an easy way to deal with the effects of the pandemic. Although, because of the effects of alcohol and how easy it is to develop an addiction, it can become really destructive.
Instead of using substances to cope with the emergency, it is better to find ways to deal with this disaster that work to improve mental health symptoms and stave off boredom. Ways that can help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, especially when working at home include:
Having a regular schedule
Focusing on stress relief and mindfulness exercises
Reaching out to a support system
Investing in mental health
Paying attention to the foods that are consumed
Getting consistent sleep
Maintaining at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week
Frequently Ask Questions:
• How did isolation during the pandemic contribute to alcohol abuse?
Being isolated and unable to seek physical support made it difficult for people in recovery. Isolation also made it harder for individuals who developed new mental health issues like anxiety and depression to seek help, leading them to unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcohol.
• What were the health risks of increased alcohol use during the pandemic?
Excessive alcohol use can disrupt the immune system and respiratory function, making it harder for the body to fight off infections. This became especially dangerous during the pandemic, as it increased the risk of severe COVID symptoms and mortality.
• Why is it dangerous to quit drinking "cold turkey"?
Quitting drinking abruptly after heavy use can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms, including full-body tremors, seizures, and even death. It is recommended that individuals with alcohol use disorder seek medically-assisted detox to ensure their safety.
• Has alcohol use increased during past national crises?
Yes, an increase in alcohol use has been recorded during past national or natural disasters, such as after Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. These increases are often linked to rising stress levels, negative media consumption, and grief.
• What are some healthy ways to cope with pandemic-related stress?
Healthy coping strategies include maintaining a regular schedule, practicing stress relief and mindfulness exercises, connecting with a support system, eating healthy foods, getting consistent sleep, and exercising regularly.
Navigating the challenges brought on by the pandemic is a journey we don't have to take alone. At Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center, we understand the unique struggles that have emerged and are here to provide a supportive, compassionate environment for healing. Our team is dedicated to offering personalized care to help you or your loved ones overcome addiction and build a healthier future. We are committed to being a partner in your recovery. Please reach out to us today at (435) 222-5225; we are here to help.
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About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
