Research is showing that alcohol sales are up since the start of the pandemic. With ongoing isolation and boredom, people may be turning to alcohol to cope with the stress.
Here are several helpful tips for cutting back:
- Recruit a friend to hold you accountable. Give a trusted friend the freedom to hold you accountable when your alcohol use begins to affect your health, relationships or finances.
- Start a new workout regimen. Exercise has a calming effect. When you feel the urge to drink, try walking, working out, meditating, yoga or a sport to energize your mind and body.
- Find a substitute. People tend to drink more when they are bored. Consider activities such as cooking classes, music lessons, painting, woodworking, sports or reading to fill the time.
- Rethink happy hour. Frequent or high-levels of alcohol consumption can have a negative affect on your immune and respiratory systems. Consider “mocktails” or non-alcoholic beverages to change up your routine.
- Cultivate a new way to cope. Stress stems from a variety of events such as a challenging relationship, financial hardships or the death of a loved one and each requires unique coping methods. Understand what is causing your stress and develop healthy coping skills that work for you.
Contact the NCWR Addiction Recovery Clinic at OSU at 918-561-1890 to schedule an appointment. In case of a medical emergency, please call 911. For immediate and confidential emotional support, please call 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.