As the COVID-19 virus spread throughout the world, so did the fear of infection and possible death. The constant reports over news outlets about how fast the infection was spreading coupled with the mounting global death toll related to it were more than enough to cause widespread fear, paranoia, anxiety, and panic among the global population. As alcohol has always been the go-to stress reliever for most, many have taken to consuming much more of it than they typically do, just to deal with the stress that was going around alongside the virus.

Even before the pandemic, however, alcohol was already the most popular solution that people turned to whenever they felt any kind of stress. The pandemic just gave most people a new excuse to take out their fears and sorrows on the bottle. We here at Northern Illinois offer dual diagnosis treatment program for cases like this.

The forced isolation brought on by the pandemic has proven that most people could not handle not going out and being with other people, despite the claims by many that they would not mind the peace and quiet that comes with being alone for an extended period of time. Many people who ran out of things to do while in isolation and did not want to get further stressed by watching popular media chose to try to sleep for the better part of the day. The fear and stress that blanketed the world, however, made sleeping and resting a near impossibility for many.

This is why many turned to drinking copious amounts of alcohol just to pass the time, and also help them get some sleep by way of passing out from drinking too much. Most who engaged in drinking this way barely even noticed that they were already into excessive alcohol use, as the sensation of getting inebriated proved to be much more inviting than being bored because of the isolation.

Much like food deliveries, groceries, and medication, alcohol also proved to be among the most sought-after products from stores for delivery during the pandemic. Even in areas where delivery was not an option, as there were some stores that offered purchasers a pickup option. This could be because some people believe alcohol is a stimulant when it is actually a depressant.

The accessibility and ease with which alcohol could be acquired have always made it the addictive substance of choice for many, and the pandemic only made this fact all the more evident.

Drinking on an empty stomach is a sure way to feel all the effects of alcohol. An empty stomach also guarantees more space to drink alcohol, which is why it is always a good idea to eat a good-sized meal before taking any alcoholic drinks. Having food in the stomach helps in ensuring that alcohol is absorbed and gets into the bloodstream much more slowly than it would be on an empty stomach.

In most cases, people who go binge drinking do so because they are able to. They have more than enough money to buy a lot of alcohol, and they end up buying and consuming more than they really should. For people who mostly spend on their own binge drinking, an effective way around it is to ensure that there is only enough money to purchase a small amount of alcohol. Others even improve on this practice by gradually lessening the money normally allotted for alcohol, and in doing so, also gradually lessen their intake of alcohol as well.

There is always something else to do during social events other than simply drinking the entire time. These gatherings are perfect opportunities for catching up with close friends and enjoying the company of the people at the event. Getting caught up in engaging conversation or other activities are great ways of minimizing the chances of devoting one’s time at a social to just drinking.

Many have the excuse that they drank too much because there was simply too much alcohol where they were. If this is the case, then it is also possible to be where there is least likely to be alcohol, such as gyms or public swimming areas. The local running track, basketball court, or tennis court should also be places where one is least likely to find alcohol in, since these places are often kept safe and alcohol-free due to policies and regulations.

This is not to say that people should start identifying which people in their lives are bad influences, although this would certainly be a good idea for the sake of personal safety. In a person’s circle of friends and associates, there is always a chance that there are people who do not spend most of their time drinking, or when they do get the chance, dive straight into the drink before anything else. Being in the company of people who drink less could also influence a person’s attitude toward binge drinking.

There are still people who stick to a reason for binge drinking, and this reason, or reasons, could actually be triggers that push them to drink so much. By learning to identify these triggers, it could be possible to avoid being exposed to them, or at the very least, share these triggers when seeking professional help so that the triggers could be fully addressed and resolved. This is taught in an alcohol addiction rehab center in northern Illinois through different programs such as outpatient rehab, intensive outpatient rehab, or partial hospitalization program.

Being mindful does not always result in an instant resolution to the issue, but it is certainly a good start. Being mindful of the things done even in moments where one tends to be mindless, such as when one is binge drinking, shows that there is still a measure of control present. Regardless of how small a measure this might be, it is still a spark that could become the guiding light to recovery from binge drinking.