In the USA, in the last week of March, sales of whiskey, vodka, and beer jumped at 55% over the same period the previous year. The increased demand for alcohol is caused by quarantine, stress, fears that the stores will run out of the goods, as well as the opinion that alcohol can help not get infected with coronavirus infection. The Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to the panic buying of basic necessities, has caused another unhealthy trend: alcohol sales have increased in almost all countries of the world.
Considering that a huge number of people today are forced to isolate themselves, the World Health Organization helps those who are in quarantine to survive this difficult situation. It has issued guidelines on how to eat right, stay physically active, deal with anxiety and panic, and deal with children. There are also 24 hour na chat rooms online at AddictionResource, which help deal with alcohol and drug problems. In this article, we will consider their advice to those who rely on alcohol or drugs as protective agents against COVID-19 and a cure for depression.
Myths about alcohol and COVID-19
Myth: Drinking alcohol contributes to the elimination of the COVID-19 virus.
This is not true. Conversely, if a person becomes infected with the virus, alcohol can increase the risk to their health. Alcohol can only be effective in disinfecting the skin, but it does not disinfect when ingested.
Myth: When drinking strong alcoholic beverages, viral particles contained in the inhaled air are destroyed.
Alcohol does not destroy viral particles in the inhaled air, does not disinfect the oral cavity and pharynx, and is not a way of protecting against the virus.
Myth: Drinking alcohol (in the form of beer, wine, distilled alcohol, or herbal tinctures) increases the body’s resistance to the virus and strengthens the human immune system.
On the contrary, alcohol weakens the human immune system, which means that it cannot increase the body’s resistance to the virus. Moreover, it is known that alcohol has a harmful effect on almost every organ of our body. Overall, at online aa meetings, people suggest that there is no “safe level of alcohol consumption,” and the threat to health actually increases with every glass you drink.
Myth: Drugs help manage stress.
Drugs are very unexpectable and can aggravates panic, anxiety, and depression, as well as other mental disorders, which in isolation can even lead to suicide. In addition, drugs can increase aggression and lead to domestic violence, which is especially difficult in situations where people live in cramped conditions, and family members have nowhere to hide from the abuser. If you feel that you cannot cope with mental problems, there are a lot of online na meetings usa, which can help.
Dos and don’ts during the COVID-19 pandemic
The WHO recommends to completely abandon the use of alcohol.
Only in a sober state, you will be able to maintain vigilance, speed of reactions, and clarity of mind when making decisions concerning you personally, your family members, and your environment. It hardly needs explaining how important it is to remain alert and clear of mind when it comes to health, taking strict precautions, and possibly helping loved ones.
If you really cannot live without alcohol, reduce the amount to a minimum, and do not bring yourself to a state of intoxication.
If you have an alcohol or drug addiction, you can get help at online na meetings. The benefits of na meetings are the support which the other people can give.
If you also smoke, you double your health threat: smoking can complicate the course of COVID-19. If you smoke indoors, you endanger the health of your family.
Never mix alcohol with medicines, even if they are so-called “natural” products or medicines without a prescription. Alcohol can reduce their effectiveness or, conversely, increase the effect of drugs to such an extent that they pose a health hazard.
Do not drink alcohol if you take medications that affect the central nervous system (for example, pain relievers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, etc.), as drinking alcohol can depress liver function and cause liver failure and other serious problems with health.
If you work remotely, act as if you are at work and resist the temptation to have a drink during lunch because you still have work to do.
To avoid the temptation to drink more than normal, do not store large quantities of alcohol at home.
The WHO also recommends avoiding advertising of alcoholic products on television and in other media and social networks. Try to maintain your usual daily routine, focus on what you can control, and try to maintain a sense of presence in the here and now. Daily exercise, favorite activities, and relaxation techniques can help. If you become infected with COVID-19, informing healthcare providers that you drink alcohol will help them take appropriate measures to maintain your health.
And remember the main thing: alcohol will in no way protect you from COVID-19.
