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Alcohol Use During the Pandemic

May 28, 2021
Articles


JAMA Network Open published a study surrounding alcohol consumption as the pandemic was erupting in 2020. Unfortunately, the report found that many people have been turning to alcohol in order to manage constant change and chronic stress.
The research findings indicate that drinking alcohol by adults went up 14% between
2019 and 2020. Notably, females specifically surged in alcohol consumption by a staggering 41% compared to the 2019 baseline numbers.
Knowing this unsettling reality, it’s important to understand the underlying factors, as
well as healthy coping alternatives since the world as we know it is still faced with this
unprecedented virus and countless mutations.


What is Triggering Increased Alcohol Use?

Not surprisingly, it is believed that the uptick in consuming alcohol is driven by uncertainty and fear caused by the novel COVID-19 virus. Before the pandemic wrecked
havoc across the globe, alcohol consumption was already a public health concern. For
those who were already battling mental health challenges, the pandemic only poured
fuel on the fire.


Examples of life circumstances that could lead to elevated alcohol use:
• Out of work
• Working in the frontlines (e.g. healthcare staff, grocery store employees,
etc.)
• Lack of financial security
• Emotional and social support deprivation
• Working remotely from home

• Responsible for homeschooling children
• Losing a loved one from the COVID-19 virus


Pre-pandemic, if someone had a stressful day or event take place, they could have
broken a sweat at the gym, met friends for dinner at their favorite restaurant, or catch a
movie at the neighborhood theater as a means to temporarily ‘check out’ from reality.


Instead, for more than a year, the new reality has included virtually zero social engagements, covering our faces with masks, isolating with little to no physical touch, and
other strict protocols in order to reduce spreading the virus.

Historically, alcohol has been positioned in advertising as a normal and acceptable
means to cope with stress, and to have fun. Alcohol is also easily accessible. Meeting
over Zoom to virtually engage in happy hour cocktails among friends and colleagues
became a marketable way to ‘taste’ what life used to be like during quarantine.


Recommended Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption


According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for healthy adults,
light to moderate alcohol consumption is deemed acceptable. On the other hand, indulging in alcohol can cause undesirable health issues, ranging from car accident injuries, elevated blood pressure, and disease of the liver.
The CDC has outlined what they consider over-indulging when it comes to alcohol use:

• Women — Drinking four or more servings during the same instance, or eight alcohol
beverages over the course of a week

• Men — Drinking five or more servings during the same instance, or 15 alcohol beverages over the course of a week


Exploring At-Risk Populations


Those who are at higher risk for extreme alcohol consumption include people who are
faced with:
• Insufficient finances
• Scarce support among social network
• Pre-existing trials including substance abuse and mental health challenges
• Compromised coping skills
• Decreased access to treatment facilities and programs they previously engaged in
prior to COVID-19
Additionally, parents could be at a higher risk for overindulging in alcohol based on
their increased demands caused by the pandemic.


Beneficial Coping Tools for Stress


Handling stress in a healthy way is critical for self-care and overall wellbeing.
Some activities to help facilitate positive coping include:
• Make sleep a priority (6-8 hours a night)

• Daily physical exercise (30 minutes)
• Pursue creative outlets based on the individual’s personal interest (e.g. painting,
cooking, gardening, etc.)
• Drink water and stay hydrated (ideal amount is an ounce of water for each
pound you weigh, daily)
• Nurture your body with healthy, unprocessed foods
• Ask for emotional support from a social worker, counselor or therapist


Seek Help


If applicable, contact a trusted person in your life, or a healthcare provider, to help reduce your alcohol use. As stated above, talk therapy is another outlet to get support,
as well as help teach healthy coping skills for self-care and stress management.
Please visit our Auxo Medical blog every month to stay current on relevant matters in
healthcare

Navigating Safety for Children During the Pandemic

May 17, 2021
Articles

While more adults have been sick with COVID-19 compared to children, kiddos can still become infected with the coronavirus, face illness, as well as disseminate the virus to others. They can be affected by inhaling droplets (from the coughs or sneezes) of infected individuals. While infection through contaminated surfaces is a possibility, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have noted that this transmission isn’t as likely. Children and adults alike who possess COVID-19, albeit indicate no symptoms (known as “asymptomatic”) are still capable of spreading the virus to others.

Recently, the CDC recommended that children 12 years of age and older should receive the COVID-19 vaccine, produced by Pfizer-BioNTech. However, that still leaves children younger than 12 vulnerable and susceptible to transmitting the virus.

Below we highlighted areas where you’ll want to be cognizant of making prudent choices when it comes to safe activities for your children during the remainder of pandemic.

Playgrounds

Generally speaking, playgrounds may appear as a relatively safe activity during the pandemic. However, there are some complicated components to consider when visiting public parks with youngsters.

Dr. Ada Stewart, a family physician with Cooperative Health in South Carolina, and the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians explained that playgrounds are, “A great opportunity to get families together and be outside and enjoy, but do so in a safe way.” 

Dr. Leana Wen, a CNN Medical Analyst, and emergency physician, cautioned caretakers to, “Avoid (indoor playgrounds) for the time being because all the individuals there, the children, are not going to be vaccinated. Outdoor playgrounds are actually very safe.”

Dr. Wen continued, ”However, if a large group of kids come over to the same piece of equipment that my son is on and they’re not wearing masks, I would pull him at that point.”

Another facet to think about is that kids usually aren’t as hygienic and cautious as adults typically are. Although there is an extremely low rate of surface transmission, particularly among the youngest children, they are known to frequently put their hands in their mouths. In this case, not only could COVID-19 be transmitted, but so could other organisms via high-touch surfaces.

Youth Sports

If your child is taking part in youth sports this summer, while the pandemic is still very much relevant, consider these measures in an effort to lower the risk of spreading the virus.

• Ensure that the sports and recreation activities your kids will participate in are approved by local and state government.

• Familiarize yourself with current safety rules for participation during the pandemic, and communicate them with your child.

• All athletes should turn in an updated sports physical before they participate in practices and games.

• All children involved within the athletics should wear their own face mask, towel and water bottles, as well as diligently use hand sanitizer.

Before practice or games, athletes should:

• Stay home if they’re feeling ill, or have any symptoms of COVID-19. If their pediatrician recommends it, they should also get a test.

• Cleanse with soap and water, or sanitize hands prior to arrival.

• Avoid gathering in large groups before the activity begins, and maintain social distancing when possible.

Schools

Just this week, the CDC recommended continued use of face masks and maintaining physical distancing at schools in the United States. Students from kindergarten through grade 12 should follow these guidelines through the remainder of the 2021 school year.

The C.D.C. director, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, said during a media interview, “Our school guidance to complete the school year will not change.”

Stay tuned for our upcoming Auxo Medical blog post where we will explore how alcohol consumption has played a role during the pandemic.