Alcohol Focus Scotland: Addressing the Sick Man of Europe Title

Why are health problems in Scotland on the rise?

While Scotland’s mortality rate has dropped in some areas, this part of the UK has still not been able to shake its title as the ‘Sick Man of Europe.’ With growing concerns over the pandemic, this title might persist for some time.

With the lockdown, alcohol misuse is becoming a significant issue, according to reports by Alcohol Focus Scotland, an organisation dedicated to addressing alcohol problems in Scotland. Below, we present some sobering statistics, reasons for the increase in alcohol use, and ways to fend off alcohol addiction without feeling overwhelmed during the lockdown.

Sick Man of Europe, Scotland: What’s Going On?

The mortality rate in Scotland, the so-called sick man of Europe, has dramatically decreased in recent years by a whopping 36%, a notable improvement when it comes to alcohol misuse statistics in Scotland. The causes of mortality in Scotland that are commonly monitored include heart attack, stroke, drug and alcohol use, and more.

It is important to note that some of these leading causes of mortality can be brought on by persistent drug use. During a time when many UK citizens are indoors more than usual, they might find themselves overindulging in alcohol and other drugs that have continued to fuel their addiction.

What are the reasons there’s an increase or decrease in Scottish alcoholics? Are some people managing to cut back on their alcohol usage during the pandemic? To answer these questions, it is crucial first to understand why people are drinking more during the pandemic in the first place.

Boredom

For most people, drinking is a way to fill some void that they are feeling. One thing that people stuck at home during the pandemic may be experiencing is an increase in boredom.

Most are used to being able to visit family and friends when they want to without restrictions, as well as being able to go shopping or eat out whenever they feel like it. Being stuck at home means running out of things to do quickly and finding yourself sitting in front of the TV, binge-watching show after show. For many, nothing pairs better with a movie or show than drinking. 29% of people in the UK have admitted that due to the strict rules and regulations enforced due to the pandemic, they’ve increased the number of drinks they consume regularly.

This adds to the rest of the Scotland alcohol misuse statistics when it comes to alcohol Scotland.

Loneliness

Video and voice calls are the new ways of staying connected during the pandemic, but it’s not the same as connecting with close family and friends in person. And there is such thing as video call burnout.

While you may feel excited about your daily or weekly video calls with loved ones, once the call is over, you realize that you’re still alone in your home. When you’re lonely and have no one to vent to about your feelings and emotions, you begin to feel overwhelmed and anxious.

Because of these feelings, the easiest remedy that many see is to pick up an alcoholic beverage. When a person is drinking, it numbs them to the point where they no longer care that they are alone or feel lonely.

These are just a few reasons that one’s drinking might increase, negatively impacting the drugs and alcohol facts and statistics.

What Can You Do Instead of Drinking?

42% of people have found that the adverse side effects of drinking have increased the more they drink. For this reason, those in recovery must find ways to reduce their drinking and remain sober throughout the pandemic.

One thing you can do is exercise regularly. Exercising gives you something to look forward to every day versus sitting inside your house feeling bored with nothing to do. While some activities can get monotonous, there are so many types of workouts and exercise variations that there’s no way you can’t change things up daily.

Another option for those in recovery is to take advantage of the resources the UK government has worked so hard to make available regarding Scotland’s alcohol issues. They’ve partnered with various organisations to ensure that those seeking continuous recovery help have the tools available.

As the ‘Sick Man of Europe,’ Scotland is working overtime to ensure that the mortality rate doesn’t rise because of boredom and loneliness. Many Scottish alcoholics are looking to change the answer to the question of which country was called the sick man of Europe.

Using Quarantine to Your Advantage

Oftentimes, life moves so quickly that we don’t get the opportunity to take things slowly and process various aspects of life. During the UK lockdown, it is essential that those in recovery continue to work on their programs and focus on their healing.

While quarantine increases the amount of time one spends alone, this should be viewed as a time to continue your recovery. Take this time to process what led you to use substances and the effect your past use has had on your personal relationships. It’s also an excellent time to work on mending these relationships.

Stay in contact with your loved ones, as it’s a given that they’re going to worry about you spending time alone. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to a treatment programme and ask to speak to a counsellor. They understand this time can be challenging no matter what stage of recovery you’re in, and they want to help.

Sick Man of Europe: Healing the UK One Person At a Time

It’s going to take the collective effort of everyone in Scotland and the government to rid the country of the title the Sick Man of Europe. Furthermore, it will require even more work to ensure that the pandemic blues don’t lead more people back to a life of addiction simply because they feel trapped inside.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need extra assistance, contact The Rehab Guide. They’ve got the experts and resources you need to ensure you come out of lockdown healthier than when it began.