Increase in Alcohol Consumption and Addiction During the Pandemic

 The COVID-19 pandemic has created a broad range of consequences for our society that extend far beyond the lives that it has claimed. From economic downturn to deteriorating mental health, the ripple effect of COVID-19 has led to numerous adversities that we must now contend with. One such adversity that perhaps doesn’t get as much attention as it should is the increase in alcohol consumption and addiction that has arisen as a result of the pandemic. In this article, we’ll take a look at the factors that have contributed to these rising addiction rates and how Bikham Health is partnering with counselors and physicians across the country to provide help to those suffering from addiction.

COVID-19 and Addiction: How the Pandemic Has Led to Increased Alcohol Consumption and Addiction

There are several different reasons why we have seen a rise in alcohol consumption and addiction over the past couple of years. To start, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a lot of stress, fear, and depression in our society, and many people have turned to alcohol as a crutch to help get them through these stressful times. Of course, drinking as a result of stress or depression is never recommended and is far more likely to lead to addiction and abuse than social drinking.

Another factor that has contributed to rising addiction rates during the COVID-19 pandemic is simple boredom. During the periods of lockdown while we were trying to flatten the curve, leisure and entertainment options were severely limited. While locations such as movie theaters, public parks, and restaurants closed their doors, liquor stores remained open, and many people turned to alcohol consumption to fill the void.

Perhaps the most concerning consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic when it comes to rising addiction rates, though, is the fact that many people struggling with addiction were no longer able to receive the help that they need. From rehab centers to AA meetings to simply meeting with friends and family for comfort and support, many of the options that those struggling with addiction rely on were no longer available during lockdown.

For all of these reasons, the World Health Organization warned in 2020 that alcohol use during the pandemic could potentially exacerbate health concerns and risk-taking behaviors. It isn’t just alcohol addiction that has risen sharply during the pandemic either; during the 12-month period ending in June 2020, there was a 20% increase in the number of people who died from drug overdoses, marking the highest one year total of fatal overdoses in US history.

How Telehealth May be the Solution to Rising Addiction Rates

Other than defeating the virus and achieving a complete return to normalcy, there is not much that can be done to prevent people from turning to alcohol as a result of the stress, fear, boredom, and depression that the pandemic has created. Thankfully, though, there is a solution to the fact that those suffering from addiction may not be able to receive the care and counseling they need during these times when many are still afraid to take the risk of visiting with a counselor or physician in-person. Since the beginning of the pandemic, telehealth services have been viewed as a highly promising alternative to in-person healthcare and have been used extensively in order to continue providing critical healthcare services without increasing risks of COVID-19 exposure. Now – thanks both to its ability to limit the spread of COVID-19 as well as the various other benefits that it provided – telehealth is poised to remain a key pillar of modern healthcare.At Bikham Healthcare, we are proud to be at the forefront of helping make telehealth more accessible and effective for physicians and patients alike. Through our world-class revenue cycle management and credentialing services for telehealth providers, we are able to help physicians and counselors all over the country navigate these challenges as they continue to offer the services that those struggling with addiction so desperately need. If you would like to learn more about partnering with Bikham Healthcare in our mission to combat the increase in alcohol abuse and addiction that the COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to, be sure to contact us today.

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