For people recovering from alcohol addiction/substance use disorders, having supports in place during this anxiety-inducing time is crucial. Self-distancing and stay-at-home orders have created barriers to some resources. Online options are available to people in recovery and families living with addiction:

12-step Online (Al-Anon and other variations are offered)
Families Anonymous
Herren Project Online Support Groups
In Morris County, the Center for Addiction, Recovery, Education and Success (CARES) offers a full schedule of virtual recovery programming including recovery meetings, support groups and yoga.
Partnership for Drug Free Kids also offers an online support community hosted by specially trained parent coach facilitators and clinicians. There is no cost to join and the meetings offer support for parents struggling with a child’s substance use amid this time of increased stress and isolation.

The fear and stress the COVID-19 crisis causes can be a trigger for people to drink excessively. April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, a good time for everyone to take stock of their alcohol consumption.

Consider that men who have more than four drinks on a single day or 14 a week are considered heavy drinkers, as are women who drink more than three drinks in a day or seven a week.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heavy alcohol consumption in the short-term result in:

Serious injuries from motor vehicle crashes, falls and drownings
Alcohol poisoning
Aggressive behavior that can lead to violence
Problems with pregnancy

Long-term alcohol abuse, according to the CDC, can cause chronic diseases and other serious health problems, such as:

High blood pressure
Heart disease
Stroke
Liver disease
Digestive problems
Cancers, such as throat, mouth, esophagus, live and colon
Depression and anxiety
Learning and memory problems, including dementia

Nearly 90,000 people in the U.S. die each year from alcohol-related causes; it is the nation’s third leading preventable cause of death, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Heavy drinking also can erode relationships and career goals. Moderate drinking is two drinks per day for men, and one drink a day for women.

There are small changes you can make to get a handle on your alcohol consumption:

Write a list of the benefits of cutting back on drinking
Set a limit on how much you will drink and track your consumption
Have several alcohol-free days each week
Enjoy activities that don’t involve alcohol
Don’t keep alcohol on hand
Ask for help if you’re struggling

If you cannot control your drinking or are feeling overwhelmed by the COVID-19 situation, NewBridge can help. For more information, contact NewBridge Services online or call (973) 316-9333.