Stress can play a factor in everyone’s life, especially now due to COVID-19. Results of new research published by the Journal of the American Medical reveals that alcohol consumption has increased 14 percent among all adults over 30 years old compared to last year at this time. The study overall concluded that excessive alcohol use may lead to or worsen existing mental health problems like anxiety or depression, which have already been seen as increasing during COVID-19.
Susanne Ringhausen, a Manager of Health and Psychological Services for OSF HealthCare says that people who feel stressed may turn to alcohol as a way to “relief drink.”
New recommendations from the federal government on dietary guidelines advises that individuals should limit their daily alcohol consumption to one drink a day for both men and women. Ringhausen says that excessive drinking can lead to liver disease, obesity, breast cancer, depression, suicide, accidents, and a wide range of cardiovascular problems including high blood pressure. COVID-19 can make the conditions worse.
According to the CDC, people who are alcohol-dependent can keep your body from being able to fight off infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
If you find yourself drinking excessively on a regular basis, there is support to help you make a change.
Reach out to your local health care physician if you need help or know someone that does. To find resources for alcohol addiction, here are some helpful phone numbers here.
