COVID-19 And Its Impact On Addiction Risks

Throughout 2020, COVID-19 has controlled and impaired various aspects of our lives.

Isolation, loneliness and a fear of the unknown has seen thousands of people across the United Kingdom admit to struggling with mental health disorders.

Many have even increased their alcohol and drug consumption in a bid to mitigate the repercussions of COVID-19.

The number of people turning to substances has soared, especially as the country entered the various lockdowns that were imposed. Drug consumption also increased.

As multiple reports confirm that the number of people struggling with addictions continues to grow as the ramifications of COVID-19 impact our lives, at Action Rehab, we are exploring COVID-19 and its impact on addiction risks.

Please remember that if you have found yourself addicted to substances such as drugs or alcohol, we are here to help you. We can ensure that you obtain the support and treatment that you need to overcome your struggles and make a long term recovery.

While discussing your addiction is somewhat daunting and challenging, failure to obtain support could impair your life now, and in the future.

What Are The Risks Associated With Addiction?

Before delving into COVID-19 and its impact on addiction risks, it is imperative to understand what the risks associated with addictions are.

Although common stigmas contradict that individuals that have become addicted to a substance have chosen to do so, this is not true. Addictions can harm and impair an individual’s life regardless of their lifestyle.

The risks associated with addictions typically include the following;

• – Genetics
• – Mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
• – Home environment
• – Family life
• – Social influences
• – Stress
• – Peer influences
• – Isolation

As COVID-19 took its toll on the world, its impact on addiction risks surged. As touched on above, a more significant number of people turned to substances in a bid to manage and mitigate pessimistic thoughts and feelings.

COVID-19 and Its Impact On Addiction Risks

Various professionals have conducted studies that all demonstrate the impact that COVID-19 has had on the risks associated with addictions.

Isolation, changes to home and work life, heightened mental health disorders and an surge in stress levels have all been associated with drug and alcohol abuse. As reported by the Society For The Study of Addiction, COVID-19 has seen the British population purchase a considerably higher amount of alcohol from supermarkets. At the same time, sales of illegal drugs have also increased.

With an increasing number of people turning to substances in a bid to deal with the ramifications of the pandemic, COVID-19 and its impact on addiction risks must be considered in order to preserve the physical and psychological well-being of those struggling with addictions.

COVID-19 Has Increased the Number Of People Suffering With Mental Health Disorders

COVID-19 has seen at least two-thirds of adults in the United Kingdom admit to struggling with mental health disorders including stress disorders, anxiety and depression. However, the number of people obtaining support has fallen.

As touched on above, mental health disorders are one of the most significant addiction risks. Sadly, individuals suffering from mental health disorders are more likely to turn to substances in a bid to abolish pessimistic thoughts and feelings. As the side effects of consuming substances temporarily enable individuals to relax, many have come to rely on substances to keep their worries and fears at bay.

Unfortunately, regularly turning to substances to relieve pessimistic thoughts and feelings will gradually cause an addiction to arise.

COVID-19 Has Seen A Greater Amount Of People To Feel Lonely and Isolated

Over the last year, contact with family members, friends, colleagues and even employers has drastically changed. Rules have seen us limited to who we can and cannot spend time with, which has led to increasing bouts of isolation and loneliness.

Although technology has provided us with the ability to keep in touch with our loved ones, millions of people across the United Kingdom have reported that they feel incredibly lonely.

Sadly, loneliness and isolation is another risk factor when considering addictions. Individuals suffering from addictions are likely to combat loneliness and isolation by turning to drugs and alcohol. This, of course, is not healthy, nor is it recommended.

Feeling somewhat lonely and isolated can cause an individual’s mind to wander and encounter several negative thoughts. Throughout COVID-19, loneliness and isolation have further contributed to the number of people struggling with mental health disorders, especially as much of the news that is broadcasted is somewhat pessimistic.

Anxiety levels combined with loneliness has seen many with nowhere to turn. As a result, substances have been consumed to keep unwanted thoughts at bay.

COVID-19 Has Had Negative Repercussions On Relationships and Families

From anxiety regarding financial situations to homeschooling children, as the United Kingdom became confined to their homes throughout the first and second lockdown, relationships and families sadly felt various negative repercussions.

While unintentional, pressures faced by families are a reoccurring risk when considering addictions.

When individuals are treated for addictions, it is not uncommon for factors at home to have contributed to an addiction. For example, financial struggles can cause an individual to turn to drugs and alcohol to alleviate pessimistic thoughts.

As families faced an increasing amount of pressure to adapt to the new normal presented by COVID-19, stress levels heightened. As discussed above, as stress levels increase, the number of people turning to substances to temporarily reduce the ramifications felt have surged.

Contact Action Rehab Today

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed millions of people across the world. As we can see from the above information, it has also sadly caused several people to become addicted to substances such as drugs and alcohol.

If you have turned to substances to alleviate the stress, worries and pressures you have been left to feel, and now find yourself relying on substances, you must seek support for an addiction.

At Action Rehab, we continue to provide our services to those in need. We can help you secure the support you need to overcome your addiction and navigate COVID-19 and its impact on addiction risks.

Posted on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 at 10:10 am in Latest News.