With more than three billion people around the world living under lockdown, is it likely that many people will turn to addiction while being confined to the four walls of their respective homes?
Before the country-wide, 21-day lockdown being announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several states had already begun preparations for such a situation. State government officials had already announced a list of essential services which would be active and functional during this lockdown phase. The list includes provision of basic necessities such as food, groceries, medicines, etc. However, the pubs and bars are to remain shut. The ban on alcohol is a well-intentioned attempt to minimize social contact as well as risky or anti-social behavior associated with alcohol consumption.
When confined, most of the strategies for coping with stress, such as outdoor sports or going out for strolls, no longer exist. But the stress keeps accumulating.
Staying at home during lockdown also implies that the factors that prevented alcohol and other drugs’ use impacting other aspects of life do not exist. This might be the first time that others in your household find out that you are using substances and keeping that use out of sight of children is quite challenging.
Psychiatric hospitals and rehabilitation centres across the globe are witnessing a spike in the number of people approaching them, especially those who are complaining of withdrawal symptoms due to non-availability of alcohol and illicit narcotic drugs.
When people stop consuming alcohol and administering illegal drugs after years of addiction to regular or adulterated alcohol or drugs, they suffer a from a lot of physical and mental health issues.
These issues, referred to as withdrawal symptoms are a result of sudden stoppage of consumption of alcohol or drugs and start showing within 24 hours. Some of the mild withdrawal symptoms are unrest, headaches, queasiness, nausea, insomnia and sweating & the more severe symptoms are hallucination, delusion, confusion, hypertension, fever, heavy sweating and even delirium tremens.
Forcing alcoholics, particularly, to go “cold turkey” can be life-threatening & could also lead to serious depression and suicide & may also result in violent episodes.
Methods to manage withdrawal:
Cravings tend to last for a few minutes. The following remedial actions can help overcome these withdrawal symptoms:
If you or someone you know is exhibiting withdrawal symptoms, owing to being abstinent from alcohol/substance usage, please feel free to connect with us at [email protected]. Visit us: www.tulasihealthcare.com
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