Day One experts discuss alcohol use during the pandemic
Watch Day One Walled Lake Clinical Supervisor Emily Mandigo’s interview with TV20 Detroit/WXYZ.
With isolation, uncertainty and anxiety all high throughout the course of the coronavirus pandemic, it is no surprise that misuse of alcohol is on the rise. As part of Alcohol Awareness Month, Day One Director Andrea Orsini recently spoke with WWJ Newsradio 950 about substance use during the pandemic.
Reports of alcohol-related issues are up at least 20% among clients of Day One, Orsini said. Alcohol misuse also tends to go hand-in-hand with other mental health issues, like depression and anxiety.
Listen to Day One Director Andrea Orsini’s interview with WWJ Newsradio 950.
“There is an intertwining between the two because of the stresses, because of the financial and economic uncertainty, because of strained family dynamics from being together so much for so long, and really uncertainty about when this pandemic is going to end,” she said.
She also spoke about substance use among adolescents and how parents drinking at home to deal with stress normalizes alcohol as a coping mechanism for their children. Teenagers can benefit from open conversations about the stressors they are facing and how to cope with them.
“Alcohol use is not an effective way, on a daily basis, to deal with the normal stressors of life, and it’s certainly not going to work for some things that are happening now that are really outside of our normal experience,” Orsini said.
In an interview with TV20 Detroit/WXYZ, Day One Walled Lake Clinical Supervisor Emily Mandigo said 25- to 35-year-olds are one of the age groups seeing the most increased alcohol use. Many in that age group are facing “quarter-life crises” and are often dealing with large personal and professional changes, such as relationship changes, starting families and career transitions.
Mandigo provided some questions that people can ask themselves if they think they may be misusing alcohol: “Am I not keeping up with some of my responsibilities? Have people told me that I should decrease my use? Am I using in a more secretive way?”
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, Day One is here for you. We offer caring, confidential substance use disorder treatment for adults, teenagers and children. Call (248) 858-7766 or complete the form at www.oaklandfamilyservices.org/dayoneishere to learn more.