Support Needed as Alcohol and Drug Problems Rise During Pandemic

Recognizing alcohol abuse problems

Some people have responded to the stress and social isolation brought on by the outbreak by drinking more -— enough that a longtime alcohol dependency now begins to intensify. “Using alcohol as a coping mechanism leads down a slippery slope to contracting an alcohol use disorder,” says George F. Koob, director of the National Institutes of Health National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). “We have individuals who are maybe already vulnerable to engaging in alcohol use disorder and the social isolation is exacerbating that,” he notes.

Symptoms of an alcohol misuse disorder may include an obsession with drinking, needing to drink more alcohol to get a buzz, withdrawal symptoms when you don't drink (like shaking hands, for example) and problems with relationships, finances, your job and your health.

Finding online support

Many people who normally have sought help from in-person support groups are finding that online groups are just as helpful -— or even more so. Robin Blanche, 51, who lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has been in recovery for two decades from unhealthy alcohol use, has found that Zoom allowed her to attend more support group meetings. “I'm actually able to go to meetings once a day,” says Blanche. “I feel like it's rejuvenated my recovery.”

The groups’ moving online has also allowed her to virtually visit Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with old friends from Los Angeles, where she once lived. “I feel really lucky that I get to reconnect with people who played such an important part in my early recovery,” she says. (Visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator for information on where to find help.)

Individual online therapy can also be a valuable form of support. A recent American Psychological Association survey of more than 5,400 clinicians found that most practicing psychologists are treating patients remotely using videoconferencing software or phone calls that use a designated telehealth platform. (Read our story on Medicare's coverage of teletherapy.)

While teletherapy may feel awkward at first, it's convenient, so patients may be more likely to both try it and show up for continued sessions. San Francisco-based psychologist Juli Fraga, whose practice has grown 30 percent since March — all patients she talks to remotely —recommends finding a therapist through a trusted friend or colleague, asking your insurance company for referrals or using online support directories such as  the Psychology Today's "Find a Therapist." 

Staying strong

Taking care of your overall well-being, including healthy eating and getting enough sleep, is an important part of remaining sober, says Erica C. Barnett, 42, author of Quitter: A Memoir of Drinking, Relapse, and Recovery. Barnett found that going for long walks has been keeping her steady during the pandemic. “I've discovered huge swaths of the city that I had never seen before when I was rushing to get from place to place by bus, train, or car.”

She's also dived into hobbies like baking bread and photography, revisited a habit of making gratitude lists, which is something she did in early sobriety, and stayed in touch with supportive friends and family members.

"Addiction is a disease, and relapse is a symptom, so instead of deciding that you've blown it and there's nothing to do but keep drinking or using,” Barnett says, “reach out to someone who you feel safe talking to, tell them what happened... The most important thing to remember is that you didn't fail and you're not alone.”