Alcohol Consumption on the Rise During COVID-19

Sales of alcohol in the United States spiked sharply back in mid March. According to Nielsen, sales of alcoholic beverages rose 55% in the week ending March 21st, and there was a 243% increase in online orders. While data shows that overall alcohol sales have settled back down, and that the alcohol industry is beginning to suffer, we’re exploring how stresses caused by living under social distancing guidelines during a global pandemic might be causing some people to drink too much. And how the added stresses we’re all under, and just plain fear, might be exacerbating the problem for people who were already struggling with alcohol, or any addiction, before COVID-19 spread around the world.
We're joined by Ahmed Eid, the newly named director at the Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation’s facility in Naples, to talk about increasing alcohol consumption. And we'll find out how social distancing guidelines are changing how they operate, especially when it comes to remote counseling options.