How to Deal With Alcoholism and Isolation

As sociable beings, humans don’t respond well to forced and prolonged isolation.

It’s no question that isolation is challenging for anyone to go through. However, the combination of alcoholism and isolation is rough for people with alcohol use problems as isolation may lead to relapse.

Without any physical or social contact with a loved one, isolation can be dangerous for recovering alcoholics. It is important to understand how isolation can affect people struggling with alcoholism. Haven House Recovery Center is here to discuss everything you need to know about alcoholism and isolation.

Alcohol Use and Social Isolation: What’s the Connection?

Isolation brings bouts of loneliness and boredom. Those two feelings don’t go well together for people with drinking problems. No matter the reason for the isolation — a global pandemic or feelings of estrangement — anyone can feel detached from the people around them.

Although there are other ways to beat feelings of boredom and isolation, like binge-watching TV or reading a book, people struggling with alcoholism often find themselves reverting to drinking. For some, drinking is their way of filling the void created by isolation. They may also find routine activities better with a glass of alcohol in hand.

Alcohol consumption changes how a person perceives the world. It affects his/her moods, emotions, and judgment. People struggling with alcoholism see alcohol as an escape or as a way to improve how they feel and think. They assume that alcohol will make them feel happier and less isolated. However, alcohol consumption does the exact opposite to our body and brain.

When drinking alone becomes a routine, people struggling with alcoholism l the urge to be social. They spiral deeper into isolation. With the way that alcohol makes them feel, alcoholics can go with their day without company.

What Else Can Isolation Bring?

Alcoholism and isolation are a dangerous combination. When someone feels like he/she has no one else to talk to, anxiety often seeps in. This can cause stress and lead to panic attacks.

Oftentimes, those with alcohol problems often find themselves back in the arms of alcohol to combat anxiety. However, once the intoxication wanes, they may feel more sad, depressed, and anxious than they were before. Isolation affects the sobriety of those who have either completed treatment or have been sobered for years now.

With alcoholism and isolation, relapse is a possibility. When they can no longer follow their routine, they find comfort in a bottle of liquor.

5 Signs Isolation Influences Drinking

While recovering from alcohol abuse, you may not notice the effects of alcoholism and isolation right away. Knowing how isolation influences your drinking is important so that you may seek the needed professional help before all else goes haywire.

1. Drinking Pattern Changes

If your drinking pattern has changed over the months of isolation, be mindful of how much and how often you drink. Track how many glasses you take in a day. Monitor how often you drink. If you can’t go a day without alcohol, it’s time to pause and reflect.

2. Interference with Your Activities

The effects of alcoholism and isolation may go unnoticed until they become obvious. If you choose the company of a bottle of liquor over your family, work, and hobbies, it’s time to assess whether your drinking is still in moderation or if it is reaching alarming levels.

3. Unhappiness or Stress

The danger of alcoholism and isolation is tripled with feelings of stress and unhappiness. If you find yourself reaching for a glass of liquor whenever you feel lonely, depressed, or bored, take a breather. Find healthy alternatives to beat the negative feelings brought about by isolation.

4. Relationship Troubles

Another sign that isolation and alcoholism are getting the best of you is when you fight more often with your loved ones. Alcohol consumption affects your mood and behavior. It may trigger incidents of abuse or domestic violence. If your loved ones tell you how they feel about your drinking, listen to them.

5. Increased Alcohol Tolerance

When you drink on a regular basis, you may find yourself needing more to feel the same effects you have felt before. If you need more each time, it’s a sign that your body is building up a tolerance to alcohol. This is a sign of alcohol dependence. Once you stop, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, anxiety, headaches, and shakiness.

Help Is Within Your Reach

Haven House Recovery Center is a drug rehab around Nashville.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use and social isolation, we’ve got you. We provide a 12-step, Christian-based approach to recovery. Haven House caters to men aged 18 to 45 who are struggling with drug addiction and alcoholism. Contact us now!