During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns and shelter-in-place orders left people isolated—and scared—at home. To cope, many of us started drinking at least a bit more than we had previously.
“It was the perfect storm,” says Chris Nixon, LMSW, an addiction medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health. “There was a lot of fear and anxiety related to the uncertainty of the situation, plus we were cut off from our normal social activities."
That combination led many to turn to alcohol to alleviate stress and help them cope with their fears. A few drinks also helped fill those long, lonely nights (and days).
Why Alcohol Addiction Flourished During The Pandemic
Being suddenly cut off from most of the world and worried about your own health and safety, it’s no surprise that many found themselves reaching for a drink more often than they used to.
“We’re social creatures, and not having that outlet made it really hard for people to cope,” says Nixon. “During the pandemic, we started to see a great increase in day drinking.”
People were home all day, often working remotely while simultaneously trying to homeschool their children. Many turned to alcohol just to make it through the day.
Those with preexisting addiction also struggled more during the pandemic. “Treatment was disrupted and people were cut off from resources and community programs,” says Nixon. “One of the cornerstones of addiction treatment is healing through the connection of group treatment, and that didn’t exist for a while.”
What’s happening in the aftermath of the pandemic is that people are realizing that their drinking habits have continued to progress. “We’re now seeing people who are recognizing that they have a problem and are ready to seek treatment,” says Nixon.
How To Know If You’re Drinking Too Much
Recent research suggests that drinking any amount of alcohol can have negative health effects. But it can be tricky to know when your drinking habits gradually shift from “moderate” to “heavy.”
Moderate drinking is defined as no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 per day for women. Heavy drinking for men is having 5 or more drinks on any given day or 15 or more per week. For women, it’s 4 or more on any given day or 8 or more per week.
But those numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Regardless of the amount you’re drinking, you may be developing a problem with alcohol if you start to experience negative consequences related to your habit. These can include:
- Inability to stop drinking or cut down on your alcohol intake
- Failed attempts to quit drinking
- Regularly drinking during the day
- Continuing to drink despite negative effects (on your health, relationships, job)
If you feel that your dependence on alcohol has become a problem, Nixon recommends seeking help from a specialized substance abuse program. “Only 6% of people with addiction seek treatment, because of shame or stigma,” he says. “Don’t let that stand in the way of you getting the care you need.”
Coping Techniques That Don’t Involve Alcohol
See An Addiction Specialist
For those who started having an extra drink at the end of a stressful pandemic day—and find themselves continuing to do it—it’s important to refocus on healthier coping strategies.
“One of the most important things you can do is find people—whether it’s family, friends or a counselor—who you can communicate with about your stress,” says Nixon. “People turn to alcohol to numb those uncomfortable feelings of stress and anxiety, but talking about it to others is a much better way to cope.”
Nixon also suggests coping techniques that help you reconnect with your body. This could include exercising, spending time outdoors, learning a new skill (like knitting) or trying a new activity (like pickleball).
And while social connection is an important stress release, beware of socializing that centers around alcohol. “There are a lot more sober activities now, and as more people embrace sobriety, it’s becoming more socially acceptable to not drink,” says Nixon. You can also suggest activities like taking a walk, visiting a museum or taking a cooking class with a friend instead of meeting at the local bar for happy hour.
Being aware of your alcohol consumption—and whether it’s becoming a problem—is important to your mental and physical health. If you can’t cope with it on your own, seek help from someone you trust.
Reviewed by Chris Nixon, an addiction medicine specialist at Henry Ford Health.
