Lockdown and alcohol, how much is too much?

2020 has been a different year for all of us, COVID19 and lockdown have become part of our daily conversations and we have all adjusted to it in different ways, however, there is something that is a common denominator for many and that is alcohol consumption.

According to Alcohol Change UK, more than a quarter of people who have ever drunk alcohol think they have been drinking more during lockdown. The figures are based on a survey of more than 2,000 people, around 1,600 of whom were current or former drinkers.

As people mainly worked from home or stayed at home there was no social limitation or obligation regarding taking breaks, not drinking till the evening, etc.

Many people turned to alcohol due to boredom and sometimes loneliness and every person will have a different story to tell. But is alcohol actually the solution? Or a bigger problem?

Well, alcohol is a drug simply because it alters perceptions and can create addiction, as many people have experienced.

Underlying problems can percolate up to the surface causing a person to feel overwhelmed and they start using alcohol to cover up that problem, which doesn’t work. The problem is still there, using alcohol to solve a problem will actually create even more problems. It starts with a problem and turns into many problems.

My grandfather who was Uruguayan of Scottish descent had joined the Royal Air Force in World War II. His plane was shot down over Italy and he was kept a prisoner there for two years. After the war, he went back to Uruguay and became an alcoholic, he drank to forget the war, he covered it up because he couldn’t bear living with it. But the alcohol made him unhappy, depressed, and gave him cirrhosis which resulted in his death at 60.

I feel proud to be able to work in drug prevention and rehabilitation, I know he would be happy for me to do what I am doing now as alcohol addiction ruined his life. I now have the tools to help others who may be going down the same path.

How much alcohol is too much?

It can be very difficult to spot the signs of addiction, especially when we want to believe that nothing is wrong.

What role does alcohol play in your life?

Take this short questionnaire to find out how alcohol might be affecting you and your life.

• Do you have to hide your alcohol use from your friends and family, or are they aware of how much you consume?

• Is your alcohol use causing problems with your friends or family, such as fighting or separation?

• Are you in legal trouble because of alcohol use?

• Are you missing school or work more frequently than you used to?

• Do you do dangerous things or take risks while under the influence, such as driving or unprotected sex?

• Do you need more alcohol than before to experience the same effects than you used to?

• Do you get nauseous, restless, depressed, sweaty, shaky, or have trouble sleeping if you go long without alcohol?

• Do you say or think you are going to stop consuming alcohol, but then you find reasons why you can’t or shouldn’t?

• Do you sometimes drink more alcohol than you intended, or are you ever surprised at how much you have consumed?

• Do you spend a lot of time thinking about alcohol, or figuring out how to get it?

• 3 or more, you may feel like you are losing control of your alcohol use.
• 5 or more, your addiction may be severe and getting stronger.
• 8 or more, it may seem that addiction is ruling your life.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Narconon has helped thousands to rid their lives of drugs and alcohol.

For a free personalised consultation please contact me at info@narcononuk.org or contact us via our website.

I would be happy to speak with you and answer your questions. You are not alone. All contacts are confidential.