With increasing alcohol use among adults during the pandemic, Native American Connections is raising alcohol awareness this month to support healthy habits in our community. We're committed to providing high quality behavioral health services including alcohol and substance use treatment with both outpatient and residential programs alongside our affordable and permanent supportive housing. Check out the following alcohol awareness update from our team. Stay aware and stay safe by prioritizing alcohol awareness.
According to a study by JAMA Network Open, more people have turned to alcohol to cope with the stressors brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Being at home for extended periods of time, coping with unemployment or being overworked, managing children’s schooling while working from home, or dealing with the loss of loved ones due to the pandemic can all lead to increased alcohol consumption as a means to cope. In recognition of National Alcohol Awareness Month, we're sharing the ways in which our multi-faceted approach to addressing substance use can be effective in mitigating the long-term effects.
Consider the following quote from our CEO Diana Yazzie Devine, given during Alcohol Awareness Month. “While consuming alcohol may start out as a way to cope with stressors, particularly those that have been brought about by the pandemic, the reality is that excessive alcohol consumption can lead to more problems, including depression, family conflict, and long-term mental and physical health issues."
Recognizing the factors of alcohol use that effect your life is the first step to gaining control over an alcohol use disorder. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines excessive alcohol consumption as four or more drinks during a single occasion or eight drinks or more per week for women, and five or more drinks during a single occasion or 15 or more drinks per week for men. The JAMA Network study found that alcohol consumption among adults increased by 14 percent from 2019 to 2020; women exhibited a 41 percent increase in alcohol consumption. This could be due to the fact that, in addition to increased stress, the usual healthy coping mechanisms have been limited by the pandemic and many have been isolated from familiar social support networks.
Learning healthy coping mechanisms creates a pathway to hope, wellness, and an improved quality of life. At Native American Connections, our approach to healing is holistic, confronting the mental and physical aspects of addiction and substance use. If you're seeking help for alcohol or substance use, reach out to our health team at 602-424-2060 or intake@nativeconnections.org and visit our behavioral health page for additional information.