Drug and alcohol recovery workers at County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services say they are “here to help” people who have become more dependent during the pandemic.
Area Manager Phil Ransome said: “We believe some people may be misusing drink and drugs to cope with boredom, stress, anxiety about the future, about job insecurity and job loss. They may have troubles within their relationships.
“We would like people to know we’re here to help them with any concerns or worries that they may have. Our friendly workers offer a full range of supportive services. They will work with you and develop a plan to deal with the issues you are facing.”
The Global Drugs Survey (GDS) found that more than 55% of British drinkers who responded reported an increase in the number of days they consumed alcohol each week during the COVID-19 lockdown, with 33% of people reporting an increase in binge drinking.
Almost 44% of British cannabis users reported the number of days they were using products containing THC had increased, whilst over a third of benzodiazepine users said the number of days they were using had increased.
Having more time on your hands and being bored are given as the main reasons for increasing the use of THC and benzodiazepine, with secondary factors including addressing mood and worries.
Phil explained that some people may not want to start to deal with issues or they may be worried about their safety or privacy. People may be thinking it wasn’t an ideal time to start dealing with this issue and they may also be worried about their safety should they begin counselling.
“We understand just how difficult things are at the moment and as a service we’re committed to continue to help those people seeking our support.”
Almost all appointments are taking place on the telephone, or via online Zoom meetings for both one to one and group discussions. This allows people to access services from the comfort of their home and to interact with others who are also receiving support. Face-to-face appointments are available when needed, with steps in place to ensure people are kept as safe as possible.
To find out more, please call County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services on 03000 266 666 or email DurhamContact@humankindcharity.org.uk for more details on how they can help.
The GDS special edition on Covid-19 has been developed to understand the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives, with a specific focus on the use of alcohol and other drugs, mental health and relationships.
