Alcohol Abuse working from home
Alcohol abuse is rife now that people are encouraged to stay home during COVID-19. The WHO has recommended people who can, work remotely from home.
I find it difficult to concentrate when my dogs bark, or the doorbell rings. It’s easy to forget to exercise and keep strictly to times unless I have set appointments online.
Tip: When working from home, adhere to your usual workplace rules. Do not drink. (After a lunch break you should still be in a fit state to work. This isn’t possible if you are under the influence of alcohol).
Alcohol is not a necessary part of your diet and shouldn’t be a priority on your shopping list.
Tip: Avoid stockpiling alcohol at home, as this will likely increase your alcohol consumption, and the possibility of alcohol abuse of others in your household.
Alcohol Abuse and Stress
Let’s face it. This world wide pandemic is very stressful for everybody. Adapting to change isn’t easy. Many people have lost their jobs, others are grateful for keeping their jobs, even with salary cuts. We make sacrifices to make working from home “the new normal”.
It’s not as easy as I’d imagined to adjust to working at home. I’ts also tricky “switching off” from work and living a balanced life, when work deadlines loom.
The entire world as we knew it before the virus has changed dramatically. Financial, physical and emotional stress is part of daily life while this virus continues to spread.
You might think that alcohol helps you to cope with stress, but it doesn’t. This is why; Alcohol abuse is known to increase the symptoms of panic and anxiety disorders, depression and other mental disorders. Drinking too much increases the risk of family and domestic violence. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressive. So while taking the first drink or two feels good, you can easily sink into depression soon after. Without even realizing it.
Tip: Instead of drinking alcohol to ease stress at home, make herbal tea with honey. Filtered water with a slice of lemon is thirst quenching and refreshing, hot or with ice. Try an indoor workout. Physical activity strengthens the immune system and overall is a great way of spending any period of quarantine.
Tip: Don’t make a habit of having a drink after a long day. If you can manage to drink moderately, perhaps keep it to once a week, but not during work.
Online help for Alcohol Abuse
The present situation is a unique opportunity to quit drinking alcohol, or cut down considerably. Social cues and peer pressure situations such as parties, friends’ gatherings, restaurants and clubs, are (by necessity) avoidable.
Online interventions for alcohol use disorders by professionals and mutual help groups are less stigmatizing. Alpha Online alcohol counseling offers greater anonymity and privacy, so check out what help you can get online. You get a coach and self-support help with someone you trust.
Tip: Practice physical distancing, but do not socially isolate: call, text and/or write to your friends, colleagues, neighbours and relatives.
Tip: Avoid alcohol cues and triggers on TV and media. This is where there is pervasive marketing and promotion of alcohol.
Be careful to avoid links to social media that are sponsored by the alcohol industry.
Tip: Reach out if you’re feeling depressed. Take regular breaks, stretch, and make yourself a healthy snack.
Always Remember: This too shall Pass!
Treatment & Support options
ALPHA offers a Free Assessment to determine which treatment option is best suited for you. We assess your unique situation to point you to the most effective solutions for your specific needs.