Data suggests Americans are turning to drug use to cope with COVID-19

[SheltieLover]

https://www.localmemphis.com/mobile/article/news/health/data-suggests-americans-are-turning-to-drug-use-to-cope-with-covid-19/522-04673fdd-4eef-4321-af8a-a3b4b3cc523f

local doctor warns that staying connected to support groups helps fight against drug addiction.

Author: Rebecca Butcher
Published: 10:17 PM CDT August 31, 2020
Updated: 10:17 PM CDT August 31, 2020

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — The pandemic is impacting all aspects of life. Now, recent data suggests people who are stressed because of covid-19 are turning to drugs to cope.

A doctor says that alcohol sales have sharply risen during COVID-19.

Snip

"In my lifetime I have not known of anything like this where alcohol sales have quadrupled,” said Dr. David Thomas, the clinical director at Tennessee Voices, a non-profit that advocates for the emotional and behavioral well-being of Tennesseeans.

More at link.

[JI7]

1. Probably has to do with social distancing, isolation etc

[Flaleftist]

2. Unemployment and financial stress also play a role.

[tblue37]

3. Depression, loneliness, and boredom, too, for some people.

[napi21]

4. I can understand the increase on several levels. Many people do turn to a drug, this time alcohol,

when they're stressed for some reason. Some also have a drink, or several, when they don't have any demands on their time and are relaxing& watching TV or sitting out on the porch watching the cars go by.

I think the lack of demands on their time which gives them a lot of idle hours is the reason for the increase in alcohol sales.

[pandr32]

5. Sadly, this exacerbates domestic violence

As the economy and society strains domestic abuse increases along with drug and alcohol abuse.

[marybourg]

6. I think tRump is as big a stressor as Covid.