Lockdown has given people 'excuse to drink more' as people turn to drink for comfort, alcoholic reveals

But this sneaking habit can ‘take hold of you’ and see your life nosedive before you even know what has happened.

The reality that more people are turning to alcohol is shown by a rise in people seeking help to stop drinking since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

New figures from Alcoholics Anonymous, during its awareness month this November, reveal there has been an increase in calls to their helpline and online services of over 35 per cent in the first quarter this year and a rise of 15 per cent in the second quarter compared to the same period last year.

In 2019, the first quarter figures saw 19,362 people seek help compared to 26,272 this year and in the second quarter of last year 23,286 got help out compared to 26,810 this year.

The pandemic has changed habits and behaviours whilst no doubt increasing isolation, stress and anxiety in the process.

More people are drinking at home, understandably due to lockdown restrictions amid pub and bar closures.

It is also perhaps not surprising that alcohol sales have rocketed by a third during the pandemic, according to some reports.

All of this, of course, means it is easier than ever to find yourself unknowingly on the road to self-destruction.

Kate, not her real name, was one of those whose life was on the brink after her wine drinking spiralled out of control.

The Portsmouth woman, though, considers herself fortunate she was able to kick the booze into touch just before lockdown - with the date March 2 etched in her mind.

She said: ‘That was the last day I drank. I was fortunate I managed to get to a couple of face-to-face Alcoholic Anonymous meetings before lockdown.

‘It was hard enough to walk into a room and tell everyone I was an alcoholic...it would have been very hard to do it via a Zoom meeting.

‘I got to meet people who really understood what I was going through and who I had a connection with and could speak to.

‘Lockdown has given everyone an excuse or the chance to drink more. I’m glad I stopped when I did.’

Kate said drinking started out as fun when she was at university before she continued to be a ‘heavy drinker’ as an adult holding down a good job and living in a nice house.

Drinking was normalised because her husband was also a big drinker. ‘He liked to drink too but we ended up getting divorced - drinking was a big part in the failure of the marriage,’ she said.

Kate continued her drinking after the divorce while living alone. ‘I would wake up at 3am on the sofa after another blackout and then go to work the next day,’ she said.

‘It was hideous to live like that...the deceit, the cover-ups. I was having three or four bottles of wine a day.

‘I was getting into debt and turning down work. It was one big downward spiral and it felt like it was all starting to send me mad.’

Despite knowing she was ‘drinking too much’ for a long time, Kate, as is typical with alcoholics, was in self-denial. ‘It would get to the middle of the day and I would feel anxious and couldn’t feel normal without alcohol,’ she said.

While at her granddaughter’s Nativity play Kate said: ‘All I could think about was having a drink. I felt horrendous and desperate.’

A drink-driving conviction poured more shame and self-loathing onto the mum.

And when she started drinking wine in the morning Kate realised she could no longer deny her problem despite making excuses she was ‘lonely’ and ‘just had to get through this week’.

‘That was when I realised it had really taken hold of me,’ she said.

But her nadir came when she decided to be honest about her problem when her daughter came over.

Kate said: ‘I just thought I’m not going to pretend anymore and didn’t bother hiding the bottle from my bed so my daughter could see what was going on.’

After seeing the bottle her daughter said: ‘This can’t go on.’

Kate’s cry for help and owning up to her addiction saw a weight lift off her shoulders. ‘The relief of telling people was so great,’ she said. ‘People were so helpful and understanding, even those who I was dreading telling.’

After attending AA meetings, Kate finally found the courage to tackle her addiction. ‘I could never imagine never having another drink - it was like a bereavement,’ she said.

But she added: ‘I’ve never met one person who regrets going to AA. I’m not complacent and just take one day at a time.’

During the first lockdown AA meetings went online but some meetings have now opened up in Covid-secure venues limited to 15 people. Those not open physically remain open online.

There are around 4,000 AA group meetings a week either online or face-to-face and each group is autonomous.

Tom Fox, a non-alcoholic trustee of Alcoholics Anonymous said: ‘During the current pandemic there has been a very significant increase in people contacting us to look for support and help.

‘Thanks to the terrific efforts of members of the fellowship across the country we have been able to reach out to the suffering alcoholic providing that help, support and fellowship.

‘We are committed to being there for those who need our help and over the last few months groups across the country have risen to the challenge that the Covid restrictions have created to find new ways of being there for those who need help.

‘I would urge anyone who is suffering with the illness to get in touch. We are here to help.’

For support go to www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk or call 0800 9177 650.

SEE ALSO: Police will not interrupt Christmas dinners to catch Covid rule breakers

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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