JACKSON, Wyo. — Do you find yourself drinking more than usual during COVID-19 uncertainty? Maybe your once healthy relationship with alcohol has faltered and increased?
Many people are facing job insecurity, increased financial stress, unfamiliar roles and general anxiety over the shape of things to come. Some may be drinking more than usual to “take the edge off”.
As of 2019, the CDC defines “heavy drinking” as the consumption of 8+ alcoholic beverages per week for women and 15+ for men. Alcohol directly affects the brain, causing changes in mood and behavior.
When alcohol usage increases, we risk building a tolerance to it and needing more of the substance to reach the desired effect. As the desire for more alcohol progresses and alcohol abuse sneaks in, it can lead to or worsen existing depression or anxiety.
Alcohol can also decrease immune function, which in turn can increase susceptibility to illness. During a time when COVID-19 is spreading quickly through communities, excessive alcohol use is especially dangerous.
There are other healthier alternatives to get rid of tension and anxiety! Take this home-bound time as an opportunity to try online yoga, dive into a good book, practice deep breathing, have a phone conversation with a cherished friend or celebrate happy hour with creative and refreshing non-alcoholic drinks.
Worried about an increase in alcohol consumption? Curran-Seeley is offering the Sober 30 Challenge — an online program featuring videos, worksheets and meditations to help you explore your relationship with alcohol.
Access is FREE of charge at curranseeley.com.
The Jackson Hole Community Counseling Center is also promoting mystrength.com. This website offers 24/7 support for mental health and substance abuse effects. You may access their website or download the app and use “JHCommunity” as the access code.
Additionally, local area AA meetings can be found at area76aawyoming.org and the local Recovery Dharma group has a private Facebook page that you can request to join.
