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Over 1 in 10 Americans admit they have had a drinking problem at one stage of their life

Based on a survey of 2,560 Americans (aged 21+; Google surveys August 2020).

 

State          %
Alabama 4
Alaska 29
Arizona 17
Arkansas 12
California 19
Colorado 23
Connecticut 10
Delaware 15
Florida 18
Georgia 10
Hawaii 14
Idaho 25
Illinois 14
Indiana 11
Iowa 8
Kansas 23
Kentucky 15
Louisiana 5
Maine 14
Maryland 11
Massachusetts 17
Michigan 14
Minnesota 9
Mississippi 19
Missouri 12
Montana 8
Nebraska 10
Nevada 12
New Hampshire 50
New Jersey 12
New Mexico 25
New York 10
North Carolina 4
North Dakota 13
Ohio 11
Oklahoma 18
Oregon 21
Pennsylvania 10
Rhode Island 17
South Carolina 15
South Dakota 14
Tennessee 19
Texas 17
Utah 5
Vermont 4
Virginia 42
Washington 16
West Virginia 15
Wisconsin 22
Wyoming 8

 

In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, millions of people in the US are now facing challenging life circumstances, with a current total of 3.7 million* unemployed citizens across the country. With economic tensions high, many Americans may be vulnerable to increased feelings of anxiety, stress and loneliness due to social distancing regulations. The emotional strain of the pandemic could result in many resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as alcohol or illicit drug use, in an attempt to numb these feelings. For this reason, people with a history of problematic drinking habits are more at risk of relapse** during this time as their daily routines and coping methods may be disrupted due to pandemic protocols, such as working from home.

DrugAbuse.com, a provider of drug and alcohol treatment resources and programs, conducted a survey of 2,560 Americans (aged 21+) which revealed that over 1 in 10 Americans (15%) admit they have had a problem with alcohol in at least one stage of their lives. This figure suggests that these people could be at an increased risk of re-developing their negative drinking habits due to the stressful circumstances brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic.

For those with a drinking problem, maintaining sobriety can often be a daily struggle for both the individual, as well as the people around them. Therefore, during the pandemic, staying sober can be an even greater struggle than usual, as they may have had to adjust their everyday routines and possibly, their coping methods. Nearly half (45%) of respondents say they are worried about their loved one’s drinking problem recurring due to the stress of the pandemic.

Additionally, 1 in 10 (10%) respondents say they know of someone who they suspect has developed an alcohol related problem as a result of the circumstances brought on by the pandemic. Considering it is the first of its scale to affect the nation since the severe H1N1 influenza pandemic in 1918***, the Coronavirus has naturally caused a significant amount of panic, stress and anxiety for American citizens – all of which may be triggers for drinking problems.

If you are in recovery or know of someone who is, be mindful that a past alcohol abuse problem may be even more difficult to deal with during these unprecedented times,’ says a spokesperson for DrugAbuse.com . ‘Now more than ever, it is important to establish a strong self-care routine and get into the habit of scheduling regular catch ups with friends or family members via video call, if you are unable to see them in person. Sometimes the best way to overcome emotional stress is to talk about it with another person you can trust.

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