Families have come together during the COVID-19 to support each other. Given the number of people who live alone, some of us face a great challenge of coping with loneliness during quarantine. Losing your job or being asked to work from home separates you from some of the social interactions that define your day. The stay-at-home orders have interrupted this, resulting in an increased risk of substance abuse.
Given the stress, it’s understandable. The current period can become too much for even the strongest among us. And so, for some, one of the ways of coping with loneliness during quarantine is through substance abuse.
Now is the right time to consider the signs of substance abuse, and how you can find help, even in a pandemic world.
Separated by COVID-19
We’ve been asked to social interactions to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s grounded in good science. But it has also forced many to adjust to a new reality that requires coping with isolation during quarantine.
Considering that an estimated 36 million people live alone already, according to Time Magazine, quoting Census Bureau figures, the problem is substantial.
Isolated already, and now cut off from co-workers, this creates a higher risk of loneliness setting in. Given that people prone to substance abuse already struggling, it makes the challenge of coping with loneliness during the quarantine more severe. We already know from news reports that the early days of quarantine saw a spike in sales of alcohol.
The public health lockdown of the country may well have unintended consequences in the use or abuse of drugs or alcohol. But help is still here. Contact Right Step Houston at 1.844.768.0169 right away if you or loved ones are struggling.
Coping with Loneliness During Quarantine
Stress and anxiety ran high even in the days before the spread of the pandemic. No one gave us a guidebook for what to do, what to think, what to feel, and how to cope with such a rapid change in our daily routines. It’s all a challenge for our mental health, but according to the Centers for Disease Control, there are some good practices to follow in coping with loneliness during quarantine. A few suggestions:
- Connect with others intentionally. Reach out to family and friends via teleconference.
- Limit exposure to news. A little goes a long way.
- Enjoy nature. Breathe the fresh air and notice the beauty around us.
- Maintain a good diet
- Keep up with a treatment for existing issues
Signals of Substance Abuse
Proactive measures aside, for many people, coping with loneliness during quarantine can lead to increased problems with substance abuse. The symptoms, at least at first, can be tough to spot.
Substance abuse is less about the specific quantity of drugs or alcohol, and more about what the substance does to your life – how it changes your behavior. If you’re worried about yourself or someone you love, here are some clues to look for that might prompt you to call Right Step Houston for help:
- Paranoia or suspicion
- Bloodshot or glass eyes
- Aggressiveness, argumentative
- Acting unusually uninhibited
- Twitching
- Restlessness, overloaded with energy
No single one of these is proof of substance abuse. When they happen in bunches, though, it may be time to contact Right Step Houston — especially if they are a direct result of coping with loneliness during quarantine.
Here for You
We live in scary times. An unseen virus is disrupting our lives and our families. Stress runs high, factors which can lead you down the wrong path as you seek ways of coping with loneliness during quarantine. If that describes your situation, contact us at Right Step Houston. Our team of medical professionals relies on evidence-based medicine to deliver a full range of addiction services, ranging from medical drug detox centers, alcohol addiction treatment centers, and comprehensive aftercare programs. Don’t let quarantine make a bad situation worse. Contact us today at 1.844.768.0169 for a consultation.