Alcohol and COVID-19: Everything You Need To Know

Everybody was not ready for the lockdown that happened, especially people who don’t function well when they feel isolated. Some can experience severe levels of anxiety and depression. You may not be aware of this, but there has been an increase in domestic violence. People had nowhere to go but in their homes. People who cope by drinking alcohol can sometimes be a threat. However, they can also be a threat to themselves.

Now, what is the connection between COVID and alcoholism? Keep on reading this to know more.

What Does Alcohol Do To Your Body?

The damage that alcohol can do to the body is tremendous. However, some people have different beliefs during this pandemic. Although the World Health Organization advises everyone to wash their hands and use rubbing alcohol, there’s no proof that drinking alcoholic beverages can keep COVID away.

Drinking alcohol has negative effects on the body. Depending on how much you consume, alcohol will have either short-term or long-term effects on almost every part of your body’s organs. Every drop of alcohol you consume will add up, leading to irreversible damage. In addition to that, heavy drinking of alcohol lowers the body’s ability to fight off diseases. This means that COVID and alcoholism aren’t a good combination.

This might come as a surprise to you, but even if you consume small amounts of alcohol, this can lead to life-threatening diseases like cancer. Alcohol also poses a risk to pregnant women and their unborn child. It could also put anyone at risk from accidents such as falls and drowning.

Heavy amounts of alcohol can affect a person’s decision-making skills, thoughts, behavior, and judgment. This can prove to be difficult for everyone. This can also affect other people living under the same roof. The lockdown, COVID, and alcoholism can cause a number of conflicts. This can escalate the severity and the frequency of physical abuse, elder abuse, sexual violence, and more.

What Are The Myths About Alcohol And COVID?

We’re here to debunk a few myths about the correlation between COVID and alcoholism. Here are a few of them:

#1 Alcohol strengthens the immune system and will improve resistance to COVID-19.

We all know that drinking alcohol and using rubbing-alcohol are two different things. Contrary to this belief, alcoholic beverages are known to weaken a person’s immune system. Therefore resulting in an increased risk of getting infected.

#2 Drinking alcoholic beverages can disinfect the air you breathe in.

You should know that alcoholic drinks don’t act as disinfectants. There’s no way it can clean your throat and mouth. This doesn’t make you immune to COVID-19.

#3 Alcohol kills the virus that causes COVID-19.

This is one of the common misconceptions that some people believe. However, they’re mistaken. Alcohol consumption is likely to put your guards down. It will be difficult to fight any virus when your immune system is weak.

What Happens In COVID Vaccine and Alcohol?

Now that there are vaccines for COVID, people might be wondering if the COVID vaccine and alcohol have any connection. According to Richard Watkins, M.D. of Northeast Ohio Medical, there is no known proof that alcohol consumption affects the body’s ability to form antibodies.

However, it is still best to lay off alcohol for a while. When you get the COVID vaccine, you are likely to experience flu-like side effects including chills, fever, headache, and fatigue. Alcohol hangover will not make things any better.

Do Alcohol And COVID Recovery Have A Connection?

We’ve already talked about alcohol and COVID and how those two things shouldn’t be mixed together. When a person has a history of alcoholism, it increases the risk of contracting the virus. It also makes it harder for the body to fight off the virus itself thus increasing the risk of mortality.

Drinking alcohol and COVID recovery are two circumstances that a person should avoid doing at the same time. It is best to restrict alcohol during this pandemic not only for yourself but for other people.

We all know that these are difficult times and we just want to put an end to this pandemic. However, it is not as simple as that. The best way not to contribute to the problem is to practice good habits. If you can put a halt to consuming alcohol, that would be best.

What Should You Do?

If you are struggling with drinking alcohol with COVID still happening around us, it would help if you seek treatment. You don’t want yourself or your loved ones to become susceptible to the virus. Haven House is a recovery center around Murfreesboro. We specialized in a 12-step Christ-based recovery program that can aid in your journey to recovery. We are more than willing to provide the help you need during this difficult predicament. Contact us now!