Addictions we have turned to during COVID-19 There is no playbook for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic or the Chinese pandemic is a virus that has changed all our lives over the last eight months and will dictate how our lives will be over the next 12 months at least.

While living this nightmare many of us have turned to visas like alcohol, drugs and many other things that have affected our lives and the people around us, especially those that truly love us and our close family and friends. Depression, suicide and other family related issues that have all gone downhill. Marriages due to financial pressures have created much domestic violence within the family compact and created an environment for couples to stray and have sidebar relationships with others.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession have negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness and substance use disorders. Many adults are also reporting specific negative impacts on their mental health and wellbeing such as difficulty sleeping, increase in alcohol consumption or substance use, and worsening chronic conditions, due to worry and stress over COVID-19.

As the pandemic wears on, ongoing and necessary public health measures expose many people to experiencing situations linked to poor mental health outcomes, such as isolation and job loss.

Research is showing that social isolation and loneliness to poor mental health, and people who were sheltering in places reported negative mental health effects resulting from worry or stress related to COVID-19 than among those not sheltering in places. In particular, isolation and loneliness during the pandemic may present specific mental health risks for households with adolescents and for older adults. When these health risks settle in and we have no one to turn to…you got it…we turn to all kinds of visas around us to escape the pain and suffering.

The pandemic has brought about bleak and profound changes for which we had no time to prepare, while also denying us the comfort of friends and family to get through it. The strain of unexpected deaths, physical distancing, lost jobs and closed businesses is taking its toll. Stress is rising, depression is deepening, and anxiety is spiking.

COVID-19 has also caused spousal break ups…. or cheating.

With spouses spending much more time together, it’s far tougher for people to hide their secrets from the partner they once pledged to love in sickness and in health. When you spend this amount of time together, skeletons come out of the closet, and some folks are finding out that even in the midst of a devastating pandemic, they really don’t want to live with their spouses. When you’re together 24 hours a day with people and when you’re spending that much time, there’s more of an opportunity to uncover things.

The reality is, if you were already looking for or involved in an extramarital affair, suddenly being put on lockdown with the individual you’re looking to escape from on some level is not going to be beneficial. Cheaters aren’t letting social distancing prevent them from extramarital pursuits. New statistics show that even during COVID-19 pandemic when married men and women are isolated at home with their spouses, signing up on the cheating services have increased.

“Life is short. Have an affair”

This is what Ashley Madison is advocating …. Ashley Madison is one of many dating sites that has found its way into many peoples lives, especially in these times where if you are at home and are looking for that little extra something. This site like many other, start as something innocent and before you know it you are deep into something you either enjoy or can’t seem to get out of. Because of COVID-19 these visas are very addictive and can and will destroy many relationships.

COVID-19 has also been linked to spikes in domestic violence – One in 10 women say they are concerned about the possibility of violence in their home due the stress of confinement.

Isolation is the threat that an abuser uses to his advantage. Many women do not have access to support or have any out-reach programs that one can rely on, these unusual situations, become a recipe for disaster. Social distancing and isolation mean that victims have less access to the support of friends and family and reduced availability to police and health care. Many victims and children are now isolated with the very individual who abuse them.

Winston Churchill’s famous quote….” Never let a good crisis go to waste”

If you are sitting there reading this – you might just get inspired and try something new or create an opportunity for yourself. Try not to wallow in the negative and look forward to possible opportunities or new ventures you may get involved with – explore, experiment and/or learn to navigate these days by getting involved.

Try not to get influenced, these bad habits will be very difficult to cope with.