For the past couple of years, the entire world has felt as though it’s simultaneously on pause and fast-forwarding. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has left many feeling anchorless, depressed, and perhaps most of all, lonely. You aren’t seeing your friends and loved ones as much as we did before the initial quarantine, and it’s been going on long enough to make you feel like it will never end. That type of loneliness isn’t the only one. When you get sick or exposed to the virus, you may find yourself completely alone for over a week in quarantine. When this feeling of isolation sinks in, some people may find themselves turning to self-medication with alcohol and other substances. This impulse isn’t a good one; if you’re already abusing alcohol to cope with pandemic stress, you should contact an alcohol rehab center.
Oceanfront Recovery’s alcohol addiction treatment center is adaptable and well-suited to individuals from all walks of life. Located in picturesque Orange County, we are dedicated to providing a customized, comfortable experience for all of our guests. Our goal is your long-lasting sobriety, and we’re prepared to give you the tools you need as you make that journey. If your relationship with alcohol has become unhealthy amid the pandemic, call us today at 877.296.7477 to learn more about how we can help.
Coping with Loneliness During the Pandemic
It’s easy to slip into feelings of loneliness during times like this. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no hope in combating these feelings. Schedule Zoom meet-ups with your friends to talk or play board games. Set up a watch party for your favorite feel-good movie, and watch it with your mom using a browser extension. Call the people you love to tell them about your day and hear about theirs.
It may also be worthwhile to make virtual appointments with a therapist or spend some time outside if it’s safe for you to do so. An afternoon walk at a park or even just sitting in your yard with a book can do wonders for your mental health. There are also many online groups to join, whether you’re interested in yoga, painting, or a reading group. Coping with loneliness can seem daunting, but once you start, you may find it’s not as hard as you thought.
Alternatives to Self-Medicating
Since the pandemic began, some people have been coping with it in unhealthy ways, including self-medicating with alcohol. Many people stuck at home started drinking earlier, more often, or higher quantities of alcohol at a time. It’s easy to use alcohol as a crutch when you’re overwhelmed, lonely and stressed out, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to deal with it. Here are some healthier options:
- Declutter your space. For many, cleaning and organizing can be cathartic. Take some time to reorganize your bedroom or your desk drawers.
- Keep a journal. Recording your thoughts and feelings can help you process them. Get creative! Fill your journal with ideas, drawings, and more.
- Learn something new. At the beginning of COVID-19, people learned to bake bread and sew curtains. That doesn’t have to be over! Find a new skill, and look for some tutorials.
- Meditate. You can find plenty of meditation and mindfulness exercises online that can help you cope with loneliness.
Seek Help at Oceanfront Recovery
If you feel that your alcohol intake has spiked or that your consumption habits have changed, it may be a good idea to explore your recovery options. At Oceanfront Recovery, we have different treatment plans to fit different needs, and we offer a dual diagnosis approach that can address the root cause of your substance abuse disorder. For more information about what we can do for you, visit us online or call us at 877.296.7477.
