Almost two months have passed since isolation began due to Covid19. A lockdown that a large part of the population is finding very long-lasting and difficult to bear. During this period, negative behaviors have proliferated as a remedy to combat boredom and the anxiety of being confined. This has led to a considerable increase in dependency disorders. Today we share some useful tips to prevent addictions during isolation.
Confinement and Addictions
Being confined and having too much free time can be detrimental to health. This is an unusual context that most people are not used to. Furthermore, this fact is exacerbated by the presence of children, adolescents, or young people, due to their energy needs. For this reason, over the past few weeks, many voices have emerged to offer a remedy against the effects that this situation causes both on people’s psychology and self-esteem.
The reality is that with confinement, many individuals have adopted harmful behaviors in order to alleviate the consequences that staying at home is causing. A situation that, if not given attention and special care, can turn into a possible addiction or dependency disorder. Some examples of dangerous behaviors are, for instance:
- Excessive online shopping
- Placing online bets to win more money
- Playing video games and leisure activities for too long
- Obsessing over cleanliness to avoid contracting Covid19
- Worrying too much about staying in shape
- Working too many hours without rest
- Drinking alcohol to avoid boredom
- Smoking marijuana to have a good time
Toxic Habits and Alcohol Consumption
After this period of adaptation to the new environment, many professionals already have the necessary information to analyze the new toxic habits that are appearing. The General Council of Nursing has compiled them in a practical guide to prevent addictions during the isolation period of Covid19. CCAdicciones reminds us that a harmful behavior maintained for too long creates the risk of suffering from an addictive disorder.
One of the most important points of the guide to prevent addictions during confinement deals with excessive alcohol consumption. This has increased these days due to the large rise in supermarket sales of alcoholic beverages. Due to confinement, people are buying more beer, wine, and spirits than usual. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, sales have grown by 86.5%, 73.4%, and 93.4% respectively compared to the same period in 2019.
Having a few drinks, going out for drinks as nightlife or meeting friends to drink alcohol are frequent social activities. Currently, these have been suspended, and instead, people have started new unhealthy habits. For example, consuming alcoholic beverages at all hours at home or at unusual times.
How to Prevent Addictions During Confinement
To avoid behavioral disorders or falling into unhealthy habits, it is advisable to establish routines. Organizing time with a schedule can allow for finding alternatives to harmful activities that are performed unconsciously. In this way, the probability of developing a dependency or an abuse towards an obsessive behavior or a substance can be reduced. On the other hand, it is also an exercise that helps to reduce the physical and psychological effects caused by an addiction.
Below, we share some details about abusive behaviors to prevent addictions:
Alcohol Abuse
Drinking alcohol at all hours not only harms the body but also alters emotional health. The presence of this substance in the brain modifies its normal functioning and damages the neural system. Frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, in the short term, can lead to dependency and generate serious psychological damage. For example, episodes of anxiety, depression, negative mood swings, and aggression.
Obsessive Smoking
Due to the stress of being confined at home, many people have started smoking, or increased their consumption rate. Tobacco is a harmful drug that causes dependency and serious consequences for the addict. Its main component, nicotine, damages the lungs and respiratory system, in addition to creating other very negative consequences. In these days when Covid19 infection is so probable, quitting smoking is a good first step towards a healthy lifestyle.
Self-medication is dangerous
It is common for a person who is not feeling well to take an aspirin to relieve the pain they are feeling. This is a widespread and very dangerous practice due to the risk it entails. With insufficient knowledge, taking medication without a medical prescription can lead to serious health consequences. Not only can it have physical and psychological effects, but the habit of taking drugs can create addiction.
Sleep Loss
Lack of movement and sports activities is causing problems with falling asleep. Many people cannot rest well and feel joint pain. If this is combined with alcohol abuse or any other harmful substance, the consequences are greater. It is important to respect sleep schedules and combine them with physical exercise. In this way, one can rest properly. And thus avoid collateral damage. For example, insomnia, headaches, mood swings, and anxiety.
CCAdicciones is a center specialized in addiction treatment and dependency rehabilitation. Contact us and we will help you regain a healthy lifestyle.
