20 | March/April 2022 | BAEC Bulletin
Alcohol Consumption Increased During Pandemic BY MARY MOORMAN PENN
A recent Buffalo News headline noted more people drank more alcohol since the start of the pandemic. (Alcohol Became a Crutch for a Growing Number During the Pandemic, January 07, 2022). Studies on the subject showed adults drank more from the start of the pandemic through 2020 than they did in previous years. Stress and anxiety brought on by the pandemic was compared with other natural disasters and large scale events that have seen increases in alcohol consumption. Overall consumption came in at more than a third higher than pre-pandemic levels, as did the proportion of those surveyed who exceeded drinking guidelines. Binge drinking was up significantly. Drinking over the guidelines by people of color and women jumped by numbers of 140 percent and higher.
As legal professionals, we are well familiar with stress and anxiety. At the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee, we know that the demands of work and family coupled with the isolation brought on by the pandemic can be a recipe for drinking disaster. The members of the Lawyers Helping Lawyers committee are lawyers in recovery, uniquely suited to help others with problem drinking. That help can take the form of peer support, links to treatment and other recovery resources. We also partner with the Bar Foundation to obtain financial support if that is needed. If you or someone you care about is struggling, don’t go it alone. Please reach out online at https://eriebar.org/lawyerwellbeing or call 716- 852-1777. All communications are privileged and confidential pursuant to NYS Judiciary Law §499. •
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Questions? Contact Mary Kohlbacher at mkohlbacher@eriebar.org or by telephone at 716.852.8687.
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