Impact of Rising Unemployment Rates on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

As America suffers the most severe economic conditions in decades, its citizens are faced with yet another blow: unemployment rates are now the highest since the 1980s. Nationally, the unemployment rate stands at 8.1% in February 2009, versus 7.6% in January. In California, the February jobless rate is 10.5%, its worst rate since a high of 10.0% in 1982. In total, seven U.S. states have unemployment rates above 10%: Michigan 12.0%, South Carolina 11%, Oregon 10.8%, North Carolina 10.7%, California and Rhode Island, tied at 10.5%, and Nevada 10.1%.

California alone lost 116,000 jobs between January and February 2009.

Loss of jobs can lead to alcohol and prescription drug abuse/addiction

 With more and more time on their hands, unemployed Americans may turn to readily available “mood enhancers” in the form of alcohol and prescription drugs. The feeling that why should I stop at one cocktail or pill, when two or more can erase all my troubles that much quicker – is increasingly more common. Add illness, injury, lack of family or spouse for companionship, potential loss of home through bankruptcy or foreclosure, and you have a recipe for disaster.
 

Even if you don’t have prescription drugs in your cabinet, they’re easy enough to obtain. Doctors readily prescribe medications to combat and alleviate patients’ pain and suffering. Those who don’t go to a doctor often have access through friends and family. Someone always has a painkiller or two in their medicine cabinet and “sharing” is a common, though dangerous, practice.

 
Best solutions
 

There are many ways to help prevent abuse and addiction to alcohol and prescription drugs. This is not meant to be all-inclusive, just thought-starters. Limit or eliminate alcoholic beverages from the home. Lock up all prescription drugs and do not share with anyone other than the person for whom the prescription is intended. Actively engage in social (non-drinking) activities with friends, family or established groups. If you are physically able, walk, hike, exercise, or just get outdoors. Do some gardening. Take a stroll along the beach, a nature path, even enjoy the sunset. The key is not to wallow in self-pity over losing your job or the inequities of the current economic climate. Remember that all things change, and we are the most powerful instruments of our own change. 

Don’t let rising unemployment rates threaten your overall physical and psychological well being. Your example can help others cope during this challenging time.

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