The pandemic has brought on a lot of stress to people as a result of losing people to this virus, living in social isolation, and losing a job or income. You may feel like you need a lot of coffee to keep yourself awake in your job search, as well as a cocktail to drown your sorrows or stress in. By mixing caffeine and alcohol, you could be increasing your anxiety and depression symptoms, in addition to suffering serious consequences if you are taking medication.
The Dangers of Too Much Caffeine
It is one thing to drink a cup of coffee or two to get you through the day compared to eight cups. Even if you can fall asleep after drinking that many cups of coffee, it still leads to poor sleep quality. Sleep has a big impact on your mental health, as a lack of sleep can lead to developing bipolar disorder and depression or make your sleep worse if you already have a mental illness. Too much caffeine can increase stressful feelings. Caffeine can also increase your body’s alertness and make someone already struggling with anxiety feel even more so.
What Caffeine Has to Do with Alcohol Dependence
Drinking too much caffeine can cause you to drink alcohol to dull the effects of the caffeine to help you sleep. Even though alcohol might seem to help you fall asleep, it can reduce the quality of sleep that your brain needs to function. Alcohol can also increase your symptoms of depression and make you more vulnerable to drink. The COVID-19 pandemic has already led to a third of adults showing signs of clinical depression, according to a Census Bureau survey. Liquor stores are still open during this time, making it easier to get access to alcohol.
The pandemic has impacted all of us in different ways and may have created new unhealthy habits. Try mindfulness exercises and connecting with your family and friends on the phone or through video chat to prevent feelings of isolation. Changing your routine and taking caffeine and alcohol out of the mix can help you to be healthier during this uncertain time.
It is easy to want to turn to alcohol and caffeine during this troubling time. Caffeine can give you a lot of energy to keep you awake and alcohol might numb your worries a bit. If you are consuming large quantities of caffeine while you are on medication to treat your alcoholism, it can potentially lead to bad consequences. Do not wait for the worst to happen to do something about your alcoholism. Located in Georgetown, Texas, Alta Loma can be the answer you have been looking for. At Alta Loma’s transformative treatment center, we can teach you healthier ways to deal with your stress. We understand your struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic and want to be there for you. We can provide you with a number of treatment options, like individualized therapy, 12-Step programs, therapeutic recreational programs, and more. If you are ready to lead a healthier life, please call us at (866) 457-3843.