Why Shouldn’t You Drink Alcohol During Self-Isolation?

Health specialists have said that alcohol consumption, as an effective measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, is just a rumor that has been circulating in the networks after the increase in the spread of covid-19

April 7, 2020

Translated and edited by Walter Lippmann for CubaNews.

Millions of people in different countries are forced to remain self-isolated these days, and some resort to alcohol to relieve the stress of confinement.

Health specialists have said that alcohol consumption, as an effective measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, is just a rumor that was unleashed on the networks after the increased spread of covid-19.

They explained that, up to now, no scientific study has confirmed this fact. However, what they do categorically affirm, from the World Health Organization, is that it neither helps nor prevents the spread of covid-19. On the contrary, the known damages it causes to human health weakens the defenses of the organism to face a possible infection, especially the one generated by sars CoV-2, so aggressive and deadly.

What consequences can this behavior have?

Drinking alcohol during self-isolation to relax and lift your spirits can lead to dependency.

The subjectively pleasant effect of alcoholic beverages is not natural and does not last long. Humans adapt quickly and then need an ever-increasing dose to reach that state, until sobriety becomes an uncomfortable state.

The person becomes unable to enjoy life without being stimulated, becomes moody, irritable and begins to have sleep problems, while alcohol intake does not help to remove these symptoms.

Drinking during treatment for the new coronavirus can lead to serious complications: alcoholic beverages cancel out the effect of the medications and some of the alcohol is released from the body through breathing, making the lungs more vulnerable to infection.