How to manage ALCOHOL ADDICTION in LOCKDOWN

If you’ve been finding the temptation of alcohol difficult, particularly during this lockdown period, you’re certainly not alone. According to Alcohol Change UK, around one in five drinkers (21 per cent) have been doing so more frequently since lockdown started, that’s around 8.6 million UK adults. Here are some ways to cope

1 TALK TO OTHERS IN THE SAME BOAT

Chat to other people who understand what you’re going through, it might help you feel less isolated. Try wearewithyou.org.uk online support group or call confidential phone services like Drinkline on 0300 123 1110 to talk through concerns.

2 GET TO KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS

Make a list of anything that makes you crave alcohol, or keep a diary of when and where your triggers happen. Once you understand them, you can try to avoid them. Drink Aware’s online drinks tracker, or the NHS app, Drink Free Days are both useful tools for when you’re trying to cut down.

3 ESTABLISH A ROUTINE

Keep to a normal set daily schedule, as much as possible, and create a list of goals for things you’re going to do, such as exercise or read, then cross these off when you’ve achieved them.

4 KEEP IN TOUCH

Just because we all have to stay home at the moment doesn’t mean you’re alone. Human connections are an important part of recovery, so make time to speak to friends and family over Zoom or Facetime.

5 MANAGE YOUR CRAVINGS

Cravings aren’t something to be ashamed of, they’re a natural part of cutting down or giving up drink. They may last minutes or a few hours, but they will pass eventually, so try to distract yourself with activities such as a walk or an engaging podcast.