Drug Abuse Prevention director: Don’t use alcohol to cope

Director of the National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme Lyra Thompson-Hollingsworth is reminding the public that drinking alcohol is not a healthy coping mechanism to deal with stress.

She was speaking at the Health Ministry’s virtual press conference on Monday morning.

She said heavy alcohol consumption increases the chances of developing non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. These are two of the most common comorbidities in people who have died from covid19 in Trinidad and Tobago.

She said, “Alcohol use, especially heavy use, weakens the immune system and reduces its ability to cope with viruses like covid19.

“Heavy alcohol use is also a risk factor for acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is one of the more severe effects of covid19.”

She said while she understands it is the Christmas season, people must pay attention to how mch they drink, especially as so many are in isolation.

“Do not use alcohol as a coping mechanism," she warned. "It may intensify fear, anxiety or depression, especially when people are in isolation, and should not be used as a coping strategy to deal with stress.

"And never mix alcohol with medicine, even herbal. Do not consume alcohol if you take medications acting on the CNS (central nervous system) like painkillers and antidepressants.”