Drinking and Violence Spike During COVID-19 Quarantines

People struggling with substance abuse issues often find it helpful to get out of the house and engage in other activities. Going to the movies, doing physical things such as exercise or playing sports, or even just general socializing with friends can distract from the urges that drive addiction behaviors. But what happens when all those outlets are abruptly cut off?

This is exactly the problem that was thrust upon us all during the global COVID-19 outbreak. Around the world, people were suddenly directed to stay home as much as possible, to avoid going out except for bare essentials, to restrict travel and practice social distancing. For many, this was virtually akin to being handed down a sentence of weeks in solitary confinement.

Socially isolated and trapped at home, countless individuals found themselves bored and frustrated, leading them to seek out distractions to occupy their time stuck at home. For those already trying to cope with alcohol and drug use issues, the new coronavirus protocols spelled a recipe for disaster. Alcohol and drug use spiked, but not only among those who already faced problems. For many Americans, they suddenly found themselves developing a problem they didn’t have before.

Research has backed this claim up. It’s been widely confirmed that people have been drinking more since COVID-19 rules took hold. Online alcohol sales soared over 500% since April. Polls showed a dramatic uptick in usage, with 16% of adults admitting to drinking more while cooped up at home, according to Morning Consult. Statistics revealed that millennials were the most impacted, with 25% reporting an increase in drinking. Meanwhile, excessive eating also spiked, leading to weight gain and health issues, which substance use can exacerbate.

Many drinkers quickly discovered their consumption rates had reached binge-drinking levels, which have long been linked to a range of health problems. Binge-drinking has also sadly been found as an underlying contributor to suicide and domestic violence. Thus, being kept on lockdown for weeks on end has added a dangerous new element to the equation, as partners experience increased stress and limited ways of venting it in a healthy manner.

“The very technique we are using to protect people from the virus can perversely impact victims of domestic violence,” stated UN Women Deputy Executive Director Anita Bhatia to TIME. “It provides an opportunity for abusers to unleash more violence.”

The violence isn’t only limited to abusing others. Suicide rates have also seen an alarming rise, though it is difficult to track exact figures related to how those were affected by social isolation. All this has led to what Dr. Mark Reger, the chief of psychology services at Seattle’s VA Puget Sound Health Care System, calls a “perfect storm.”

As restrictions are being slowly eased back around the nation, people are returning to work and getting back to some semblance of normalcy. Unfortunately, a lot of people are also realizing that the issues they experienced during lockdown have not magically vanished. For some, counseling and addiction treatment services may be sorely needed to restore balance and to get on track. Luckily, professional help is always only one simple phone call away.

Gulf Breeze Recovery has a history of helping people achieve freedom from addiction.  Every guest is evaluated to find the best treatment protocol to fit their specific needs.  The overall goal for every participant is long-term sobriety. If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history or a recent issue with alcohol or substance use and/or relapse, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery at: 833.551.23560 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about their residential program, out-patient program, and intensive out-patient program, and which of these can best fit your needs.  These programs have helped many people overcome their addiction and embrace their new happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle.