How addiction is experienced in confinement

In the face of pandemic confinement, the way we experience addiction changes greatly.

The pandemic we are all familiar with forces us to stay at home to safeguard our health and the health of others in our society; acts of social responsibility for the health of all.

This situation is difficult and strange for everyone, and especially for certain groups of the population. One of them is that of people with addiction problems.

A pandemic that involves changing habits

Faced with a crisis situation, we all develop different coping strategies: most of these coping strategies are not good or bad per se, but we can distinguish between useful or less useful, adaptive or maladaptive.

For a situation as extreme and new as a global pandemic, no one person is prepared.. No one, absolutely no one, has had the opportunity to learn to cope with such a situation, it is the first time for everyone.

Some people, when faced with stressful situations, learn to feel better by exercising, listening to music or spending time with loved ones, to give a few examples.

But when we have to stay at home to protect ourselves and the rest of society, we can't feel good in the ways that we do, we can't feel good in the ways we're used to..

In a situation of prolonged confinement, many people may develop substance use problems or other types of addictions, while people who already had histories of problematic use may get worse and relapse more than usual.

Risks of developing addictions during confinement

This is a stressful situation in itself, for many, many obvious reasons. Some people can develop problems of many kinds:

1. alcohol abuse

For many people, this is the most easily accessible route, as they only have to go down to the supermarket. Many, many people already had risky drinking, but it was limited to weekends or the "party" environment.

When they go beyond that limit and start drinking at home, the chances of getting out of control are multiplied, especially if there are problems at home.This is especially true if there are problems of coexistence at home, or if one is confined to solitary confinement.

A clear example of this is the reaction observed in the population when they learn that they will be confined at home for a long period of time: massive purchases of alcohol in supermarkets, empty shelves; the impulse to go out and clap drinks on the balconies to simulate a weekend outing.

2. Smoking more joints (cannabis and cannabis derivatives).

In the privacy and intimacy of home, many people are taking the opportunity to consume more cannabis than before, seeking relaxation.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of ignorance about the long-term effects of continued cannabis use.. There is very little awareness of risk, and it is possible that people who previously had only very sporadic use may increase the frequency of use to problematic levels.

It is possible that we will see peaks in problems with this substance when confinement ends.

3. Internet gambling

Unfortunately, in addition to a health crisis we face an economic crisis.

Many humble people who are economically threatened may see an opportunity in the world of Internet gambling, and the chances of them developing gambling problems are multiplied.

Of course, the major bookmakers take advantage of this need and make the most of all the advertising channels available to them, by whatever means.

4. Video games

People who are already used to taking refuge in video games in times of stress are now at risk of getting out of hand, unless they manage to limit their daily gaming time and combine it with other activities.

People who already had addiction problems before confinement.

These people can do two things: there are people with addictions who will use this situation as an excuse to use, and others as an opportunity to take care of themselves and recover.

Many people have had to interrupt their psychological treatment for addictions.. Not in all cases has it been possible to continue treatment through online therapy, for various reasons (sometimes because of technophobia, sometimes because of lack of electronic means, sometimes because of economic difficulties).

Many of these people are at great risk of relapse because they do not have time to work more on maintenance and relapse prevention strategies, or because the exceptional situation of confinement has to be worked on separately in therapy. Therefore, there are many people at risk and without the most appropriate tools to survive this situation.

Let us not forget also those who supply drugs: "drug dealers" are also self-employed, with the difference that they do not pay taxes for their activity or do not receive financial aid for the cessation of their activity.

These people who profit from drug trafficking do not stop working. They continue to try to communicate with their regular customers to sell them their product, even at the risk of skipping quarantine.even at the risk of skipping the quarantine.

There are people who risk their health and that of others to continue using, others who use the context of confinement to isolate themselves from the drug and give themselves time to overcome any withdrawal symptoms and "get clean".

Online addiction therapy

If you or a family member is suffering from an addiction problem (both chemical and technological), do not hesitate, contact a specialist.

Addictions are very complex problems that cannot be solved by willpower or good intentions alone.. Contact a specialist. You can visit my website www.luismiguelreal.es or access my contact details here.