Alcohol and COVID-19 – All we need to know

– General facts about alcohol and our body

Consumption of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is responsible for most of
the harms, irrespective of whether it is consumed in the form of wine, beer,
spirits, or anything else. Also, other toxic substances that may smell
like ethanol can be adulterated in alcoholic beverages illegally, or they may
be present in alcoholic products that are not intended for human consumption.
For example, adulteration of a small amount of methanol may lead to blindness and kidney diseases, among other problems. 

Following are the general facts that everyone
should know about the consumption of alcohol and health:

• Alcohol has both short-term
  and long-term effects on every single organ of our body. Evidence suggests
  that it has no safe limit of consumption.
• Heavy use of alcohol weakens
  the immune system.
• Consumption of small quantities of alcohol cause certain types of cancer.
• Alcohol alters our thoughts,
  judgment, decision-making, and behavior.
• Consumption of a small amount of alcohol can be a risk to the unborn child at any time during pregnancy.
• Alcohol increases the risk,
  frequency, and severity of perpetration of interpersonal violence.
• Alcohol increases the risk of death and injury from road traffic injuries, drowning, and falls.
• Heavy use of alcohol increases the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), one of the most severe complications of COVID-19.

– General myths about alcohol and COVID-19

Myth: Alcohol stimulates immunity and resistance to the virus. 

Fact: Alcohol weakens our immune system and it will not stimulate immunity and
virus resistance. 

– Alcohol: what to do, what not to do, during the COVID-19 pandemic

• We should avoid the
  consumption of alcohol so that we do not undermine our own immune system
  ad health and do not risk the health of others.
• We should stay sober so that
  we can remain vigilant, act quickly, and make decisions with a clear head,
  for family and community.
• We should avoid alcohol as a
  social cue for smoking and vise versa. Smoking is associated with a more
  complicated and dangerous progression of COVID-19.
• Children and
  young people should not have access to alcohol. Also, they should
  aware of problems associated with drinking and COVID-19, such as violation
  of quarantine and physical distancing, which can make the pandemic worse.
• Parents should monitor the
  screen time of their children (including TV), as such media are flooded
  with alcohol
  advertising and promotion, they also spread harmful misinformation that
  may stimulate early initiation and increased consumption of alcohol.
• We should never mix alcohol
  with medications, even herbal or over-the-counter remedies, as this could
  make them less effective, or it might increase their potency to a level
  where they become toxic and dangerous.
• People who take any
  medication acting on the central nervous system (e.g. pain killers,
  sleeping tablets, anti-depressants, etc.) should not consume alcohol.

– Alcohol and physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

– Alcohol and home isolation or quarantine

• Alcohol should not be consumed during the lockdown. Work from home will not possible under the influence of alcohol. 
• Alcohol should not be a necessary part of our diet and should be a priority on our shopping list.
  We should avoid stockpiling alcohol at home, as this will potentially increase our alcohol consumption and the consumption of others in our household. 
•  We should invest our
  money and other resources in buying healthy and nutrient foods. 
• Alcohol does not help to
  cope with stress, as it is known to increase the symptoms of panic and
  anxiety disorders, depressions, and other mental disorders, and the risk of
  family and domestic violence. 
• Instead of consuming alcohol, try an indoor workout. Physical activity strengthens the immune
  system and overall is a highly beneficial way of spending a period of
  quarantine. 
• Children and other young people should not be introduced to alcohol. 
• Disinfectant alcohol can
  easily become accessible for consumption purposes in home isolation. It is
  important therefore
•  Alcohol consumption
  can increase your suicidal thoughts during the isolation period.
•  Alcohol can increase
  violence, including intimate partner violence.

– Alcohol use disorders and COVID-19

• The current situation is a
  unique opportunity to quit drinking, or at least to cut down
  considerably. 
• Online interventions for
  alcohol use disorders by professionals. 
• You should create a buddy or
  self-support system with someone you trust and reach out for extra help if
  needed. 
• Practice social distancing,
  but not socially isolate: call, text, and/or write to your friends,
  colleagues, neighbors, and relatives.
• Avoid alcohol cues and
  triggers on TV and social media. 
• Try to maintain your daily
  routine, focus on things that you can control, and try to keep
  grounded. 
• If you become infected, discuss with health personnel your alcohol consumption so that they can make the most appropriate decisions concerning your overall health condition.

(Please download this original pdf file of WHO for more details)