The year 2020 was one for the books as COVID ripped across the world resulting in death, illness, burnout, isolation, and economic turmoil. This year, 2021, thus far, has been a year of learning how to return back to life with a “new normal.
Our world is still at the very beginning of the healing process as our economy is still broken, and many individuals are still struggling mentally and emotionally, but there does seem to be a new feeling of hope as we move forward.
Although there is a lot of excitement surrounding the re-opening of society since this global pandemic began, there are many people who are struggling to once again adapt to this “new normal”—particularly those who are coping with addiction, and other mental health conditions.
This article explains the high rates of addiction during the pandemic and why those dealing with addiction might find it difficult to reacclimate to a post-COVID world. Additionally, you’ll learn how to tell if you might be showing signs of an addiction and how to deal with an Addiction During the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders During COVID
Substance abuse and mental health disorders increased tremendously during COVID because of multiple factors including:
- Stress
- Isolation
- Boredom
- Domestic violence in the home
- Restrictive access to mental health counseling and addiction treatment
The surge in mental health issues may remain untreated or undiagnosed as we move through this post-COVID era due to interrupted mental health services and other challenges for mental health and addiction services.
Potential for Relapse
As the world reopens, we may see a continued increase in new cases of addiction, and mental health disorders, as well as an increase in relapse rates as many people, try to adjust to this “new normal.
This year can be stressful and even triggering for individuals who are struggling with an addiction, whether that is alcohol, illicit substances, or food.
As bars and restaurants reopen for indoor and outdoor dining and concerts and baseball games welcome back crowds, many individuals who struggle with an eating disorder or alcohol use disorder may be triggered by the availability of food and alcohol in social settings.
High-stress situations such as learning to adapt to new rules and guidelines, financial and economic instability, adapting to a new working environment, or the reality of still trying to get back into the workforce can lead to all types of addiction cravings. All of this duress can potentially trigger a relapse.
Although there is still a lot of worries, unknowns, stress, and financial hardship, there has been a lot of conversations about mental health and addiction during this COVID period. Thankfully these conversations have led to tremendous awareness, which has helped lessen the stigma surrounding addiction and mental health, encouraging more people to seek treatment and share their experiences.
If you find yourself struggling with cravings or triggers during this time of adjusting back to the “new normal,” know that you are not alone.
Whether you have a longstanding mental health diagnosis or have recently encountered addiction during this past year, it is important to be kind to yourself, as this adjustment period is challenging for everyone. 5 Triggers of Relapse and How to Avoid Them
How to Tell If You’re Struggling With an Addiction
When it comes to addictions and mental health, it may seem that the writing is on the wall, meaning that others are fully aware you are struggling. However, oftentimes, we try to hide our emotions and habits until they become dangerous and out of control.
Below is a list of questions to ask yourself to determine if you are struggling or possibly dealing with an addiction:
- Do you avoid social situations?
- Have your sleep patterns changed tremendously?
- Do you find yourself sleeping all day?
- Do you feel the desire to drink or use drugs in order to deal with stress?
- Do you find yourself becoming increasingly frustrated with other people?
- Have you recently severed any relationships or friendships?
- Are you becoming more irritable or anxious?
- Are you engaging in self-harm behaviors such as cutting?
- Do you think about food, dieting, and weight all the time?
- Are you constantly on a diet?
- Do you think you are overweight when you look in the mirror?
- Do you have an intense fear of gaining weight?
- Do you measure or weigh your food?
- Do you avoid certain food types out of a fear of weight gain?
- Are you jealous of other people because they are thinner than you?
- Are you going on spending sprees?
- Are you constantly worrying about things that are out of your control?
- Do you feel depressed?
- Do your moods fluctuate on a regular basis? For instance, do you find yourself crying one day and elated the next day?
- Are you driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
- Are you calling sick into work or not meeting obligations because you are hung-over?
If you answered “yes” to some or most of these questions, it might be a sign that you’re struggling and could benefit from some support.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, help can vary from educating yourself on mental health and addiction, speaking with a therapist, and leaning on your family and friend support system to entering into an addiction or mental health treatment center.
One of the positive outcomes from this global pandemic is the increased access to virtual therapy.
Not only are licensed therapists moving from face-to-face sessions to virtual sessions but many insurance companies are now covering virtual therapy. As a result, therapy is now more affordable and accessible for those who have health insurance.
How to Cope
While an addiction is difficult to deal with, there are ways to help manage the difficult emotions and feelings that come along with an addiction.
Connect With Others
Although you may feel as though you are the only one struggling with an addiction—this is not true.
Millions of others are also experiencing triggers and cravings. It is incredibly important to rely on your support network.
Talk to your friends and family about your feelings, be honest with your emotions, and do not be afraid to ask for help.
Take Care of Your Body
It is easy to hit the snooze button on our alarm, skip breakfast, and rush out the door to start the day. It is just as easy to stay up late and eat junk food. Taking care our physical health is an important part of maintaining our emotional and mental health.
When we jeopardize our physical health by not eating a balanced diet, not moving our bodies, or not maintaining a healthy sleep schedule, we are likely to become irritated, exhausted, and engage in self-harm behaviors such as negative self-talk.
It is crucial to keep a healthy sleep schedule by going to sleep and waking up at the same time and getting at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
Drinking three liters of water a day and taking time to prepare balanced and nutritious meals are important ways to nourish your body. Regular daily exercise can help you build and maintain physical strength, and it also releases endorphins that can boost your mood and combat stress.
Establish Healthy Boundaries
You will meet many people throughout your recovery journey who will support you, but you will also meet others who will bring you down and potentially compromise your sobriety.
It is important to learn how to respectfully and politely say “no” to others, avoid compromising situations that can jeopardize your recovery, and engage only with people who genuinely support your recovery.
Get Outside
We spend the majority of our day indoors, whether it is at home, work, school, or in the car. Taking a few minutes to breathe fresh air and get into the outdoors can help us recharge and have some time to ourselves.
Whether you choose to eat a meal outside, go for a walk around the block, take the dog for a run or take a couple of work calls outdoors, the combination and fresh air and sunlight can be beneficial to your daily routine.
Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care routines allow us to embrace both the challenges and victories that come with addiction recovery.
Practicing self-care while in addiction recovery is crucial to developing healthy coping skills and relapse prevention.
The more time you spend caring for yourself and paying close attention to your mind and body, the easier it’ll be to detect the early warning signs of an emotional, mental, and physical relapse.
Get Creative
Whether it is writing, cooking, music, painting, or photography, creativity can improve our moods and boost our concentration. We can channel our negative emotional states into creative outlets, and in the meantime, potentially create something beautiful.
Remind Yourself That This Transition Is Temporary
Transitioning to life after COVID, like everything, is temporary. The present is never permanent, and this transition time will eventually pass. Although it is important to be mindful of the present, we can also allow ourselves to look forward to the future.
Seek Therapy and Support Groups
It is essential, even when returning back “to the new normal,” that we continue with treatment and therapy.
Although therapy may look different these days as most of us engage in virtual therapy with our therapists, treatment teams, and community support groups, we must continue to go to community support meetings, attend therapy sessions and have a relapse plan in place.
