DR MAX THE MIND DOCTOR: Don’t fall victim to Merlot leave
Have you found yourself aiming for a soothing glass of wine or three, or a hefty gin and tonic every night as you close?
While there is nothing wrong with enjoying a drink, several of my patients, and even some of my friends, have said they have been drinking more than usual since the start of the block.
As a letter to a newspaper put it this week, “Reopen the pubs before we all become alcoholics!”
The most recent figures show that alcohol sales rose by nearly 300 percent during the pandemic, as drinking at home has become the only alternative to socializing with a pint or bottle of wine in a pub, bar or restaurant. Even those who, under normal circumstances, never dream of drinking alone indulge in a comforting glass.
And of course it is understandable. If you work from home, a drink is an easy way to draw a line under the working day.
Those who are stressed about the pandemic – afraid of getting sick or worrying about the economic consequences – can find comfort and relaxation in alcohol, or so it seems.
But there are risks – and suddenly it’s a habit you can’t stop.
Dr. Max Pemberton (pictured) says a soothing glass of wine can quickly become a habit here and there
Doctors are concerned that this period of isolation could lead to addiction in high-risk individuals or relapses in recovered addicts, putting further pressure on the drug and alcohol services and health services in general.
This could develop into even more ‘collateral damage’ as a result of the pandemic in the coming months and years.
In recent weeks, several people have told me they are concerned with how their own drinking – or that of their partner – has increased.
If this hits a chord, my advice is to face the problem on a personal level or, if it’s a partner, family member or friend, start a conversation – so here’s my guide to this sensitive topic.
1. Timing is key. Do not discuss it if the person is drinking or drunk. It’s hard, I know, but it’s much better to wait until they are sober and you both are calm.
2. Start sentences with ‘I’. Too many arguments become outrageous accusations of “You did this” and “You did this”. All it does is make the person defensive.
Try the following sentence formula: “I feel. . . (say how you feel), when. . . (describe their behavior calmly), because. . . (Describe the effect of their behavior on you, other people or themselves).
3. Assess where they are located. Someone who is addicted is very different from someone who is on the verge of staggering. In the latter case, he or she may know they have a problem and is secretly happy that it was noticed.
Someone who is addicted may also be aware of their problem but is afraid to quit. Be prepared for a negative response.
Dr. Max: “In recent weeks, several people have told me they are concerned with how their own drinks – or those of their partners – have increased” (stock image)
Keep it short. Having short but multiple chats gives someone time to think about it. On the second or third conversation, you may notice that they are more prone to the idea of getting help. But. . .
5. Don’t expect a change from one day to the next. Be absolutely firm about what is unacceptable behavior – aggression or violence – but also be flexible. If the drinking continues, it does not mean that you have failed. Just keep providing support without dictating what to do.
6. Focus on the present. Don’t dredge on what happened in the distant past and don’t dwell on things the person did or said when he was drunk. Stick to the problem and what you can do. And do not forget. . .
7. Listen. A person is more likely to confide in you if you don’t constantly interrupt or criticize him. You can ask questions, but open them up – ask “why”, “how” and “what if”?
But if you find it difficult to talk. . .
8. Write a letter. Some people find it difficult to verbally express themselves. By writing, you can take your time and organize your thoughts. Share your letter and suggest a follow-up conversation if you’re both ready.
9. Encourage them to speak to a professional. If someone is addicted to alcohol, quitting cold turkey can be dangerous. A GP assesses and decides whether medication is needed to safely rinse them from alcohol.
10. Get support. Charities such as Adfam or Al-Anon help families affected by drugs or alcohol. Further resources are available on the NHS website (nhs.uk).
Brave Tom gives us a smart lesson
What an inspiration Captain Tom Moore – or should I say Colonel Tom – is!
Not only has the 100-year-old war veteran raised (and counted!) Over £ 32 million for the NHS, but he has managed to look effortlessly neat whether he’s doing laps in his yard on his Zimmer or being interviewed on TV.
We should all take note of it. Appearance can provide valuable insight into a person’s mental state.
When someone gets into a depression, they often quit personal care. A professor of psychiatry I worked for would say he really started to worry about his patients when they stopped brushing their hair.
A sloppy, filthy appearance can affect our mood – especially with lockdown.
Let’s take Colonel Tom as our role model. Throw out the trackie bottoms and hoodies covered in toast crumbs, please, and brighten up. You immediately feel better.
Brave Captain Tom Moore gives thumbs up after being promoted to Honorary Colonel by Royal Assent on his 100th birthday in Marston Moretaine
We are so grateful for your support
I am so very proud to have worked for this newspaper, which has contributed to delivering and delivering an incredible 20 tons of Essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth £ 1 million to health workers on the frontline of the coronavirus in hospitals and care homes through a new Daily Mail charity, Mail Force.
And of course I am also proud of the readers who support the charity’s efforts. To date, donations have reached £ 5 million.
I cannot emphasize enough how much this means to us. In the hospital trust where I work, many staff members have fallen ill with Covid-19 and a colleague has unfortunately died.
It is, of course, up to NHS executives and the government to ensure that we are adequately protected and, frankly, they should be ashamed of the serious shortage of personal protective equipment.
Faced with so many sick and frightened patients, the clinical staff can often feel alone in all this. But Mail Force’s support reminds health professionals that we’re really all in this together and that you’re all rooted for us. So thank you very much because it means the world.
The Daily Mail shipment of medical equipment is shown in Shanghai as it is loaded aboard a chartered Mail aircraft
Fight flab to help the NHS
Researchers from Liverpool University and Imperial College London confirmed a suspected link between obesity and deaths from the Covid-19 virus this week. Obese people hospitalized with the virus are 37 percent more likely to die than leaner patients.
Only people with dementia are more at risk than obesity, with a 39 percent death rate.
This study is the first to convincingly demonstrate what doctors have known for several months – obesity is a major risk factor for more severe symptoms.
If this is not enough to motivate all of us – as individuals and as a nation – to tackle the obesity epidemic, I don’t know what it is. If you are overweight and love the NHS, it is your duty to adjust your diet and start exercising. No excuses.
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