Recognizing healthy habits vs unhealthy ones

Posted By: HR avatar

Published to Newsletter on Aug 31, 2022

blog_post_771

It is fair to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things in our lives, not least of all may be how we spend our leisure time. A recent study points to a significant increase in retail alcohol sales early in the pandemic and sales appear to still be going strong. Binge drinking (4 or more drinks for women, 5 or more for males, in a 2-hour window) and heavy drinking (more than four drinks a day or more than 14 a week for men and more than three drinks a day or more than seven a week for women) increased significantly among adults during the pandemic. This trend in increased drinking may lead to various physical and mental health problems, including thousands of new cases of advanced liver disease and even death.

What may have started as an occasional or daily drink during the pandemic might have become a habit of increased drinking. If you or someone you care about is concerned about their drinking, there are ways to reduce drinking and gain support from fellow Lobos in order to reduce your alcohol consumption.

Here are a few strategies you can try:

  • Set a maximum number of drinks you will have when out with friends or at home and stick to it.
  • Track your drinking with this calculator and know how much you are drinking each day and estimate your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Remember that blood alcohol concentration depends on numerous factors including age, health, and even the amount of food in your stomach. DO NOT rely on these results to determine if you may drive.
  • Set a fixed amount of money to be spent on drinks. If it’s $10 then hold to that commitment.
  • Alternate with non-alcoholic beverages including water or replace alcoholic beverages with non-alcoholic beer and wine options, or “mocktails.”
  • Drink only on a reserved day or special day.
  • Make time for social events which do not include alcohol such as going for a walk with a friend.

Faculty and staff can visit the C for additional resources. If you or someone you know may be interested in alcohol research studies, visit the  or for alcohol assessment and treatment services, visit the  , an outpatient alcohol-treatment clinic available to residents of Albuquerque and surrounding areas. Also, you can discuss your use and concerns with your health care provider. As we make a safe return to campus, we want every member of the pack to be as healthy as possible.

Tags: