(Photo: Matheus Campos)
Increased alcohol consumption in the pandemic
Among the escape valves sought by people in the isolation caused by the new pandemic coronavirusexcessive and frequent consumption of alcohol has also proved harmful to mental health.
On National Day to Combat Drugs and Alcoholism (February 20), Vera Cruz Hospital psychiatrist Dr. Petrus Raulino warns of the risks of anxiety and depression.
According to the expert, international research shows that one in six adults has increased their alcohol consumption during the pandemic
"The study also showed that the higher the alcohol consumption, the greater the association with mental disorders such as depression. In other words, what would be an attempt to escape anxiety can become precisely a way of intensifying these problems"explains the expert.
According to the psychiatrist, there are several ways of identifying alcohol dependence:
- The individual drinks more than they would like to, or wants to control their use but can't;
- Intense desire to drink;
- Negative interference in professional, family or social routine due to alcohol use;
- Tolerance, when larger quantities are consumed to obtain the same effect;
- And withdrawal syndromes when consumption is interrupted, with signs such as tremors, for example.
"It's important to point out that the price you pay for alcoholism isn't just financial, since excessive consumption impairs the quality of sleep, just when the brain should be regenerating. In addition, problems can arise such as cirrhosis, heart disease, cognitive loss, liver, heart, pancreas and brain diseases"he says.
Dialogue and exercise to combat anxiety
According to the World Health Organization, 3 million deaths a year worldwide result from the harmful use of alcohol, which represents 5.3% of all deaths.
The ways indicated by the Vera Cruz Hospital psychiatrist to reverse these rates are: dialog, changing habits and even not exposing the brain to consumption.
"The big mistake parents make, for example, is allowing their teenage children to consume alcoholic beverages in the house because they consider it a safe place. The ideal is not to allow it and to open a channel of communication, after all we are in the age of knowledge and often teenagers need to be understood and not subjected to experiences like these"he explains.
In addition, the doctor emphasizes that in adolescence and over the age of 60, when the brain is still forming or showing signs of neurodegeneration, consumption is more harmful than at any other time of life.
According to him, physical activities, relaxation techniques, psychological counseling and even activities linked to spirituality can be great allies in reducing consumption.
In more intense cases, Raulino recommends voluntarily seeking psychiatric medical treatment for the condition, with the use of medication and even a psychotherapeutic approach.
"The most recommended thing, without a doubt, is to encourage the person who needs help to make this decision, because feeling part of it is already a great sign that the treatment will be effective"he concludes.
About Vera Cruz Hospital
In 77 years of existence, the Vera Cruz Hospital is recognized for the quality of its services, technological capacity, team of renowned doctors and for offering humane care that values life first.
Vera Cruz has 167 beds distributed in different hospitalization units, in single (apartment) or collective (two beds) accommodation, ICUs and maternity wards.
The institution also has Chemotherapy, Hemodynamics, Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber, Radiology (including tomography, magnetic resonance, bone densitometry, ultrasound and x-ray), and a laboratory with the Fleury Medicina e Saúde quality seal.
In October 2017, Hospital Care became a partner of Vera Cruz. In just over two years, the alliance has seen important advances in the provision of services generated by investments in innovation and technology.
In the medium term, the group plans to expand its services with the creation of two new buildings in front of and next to the main hospital, totaling 17,000 m² of additional floor space.
30 years ago, Vera Cruz opened and maintains the Roberto Rocha Brito Foundation, a reference in health training and courses in the Campinas Metropolitan Region, both for professionals in the sector and for lay people, and is an accredited unit of the American Heart Association.
Published in:
1. portalmedicinaesaude.com/national-day-to-combat-drugs-and-alcoholism-one-in-six-adults-has-increased-alcohol-consumption-in-the-pandemic/
2. saudedasaude.anahp.com.br/tag/consumo-de-alcool/
