DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2020.v06i08.002

Pages: 170-172

As the world is dealing with the rising number of cases of COVID 19 infection and deaths related to it, and number of other psychosocial issues faced among the general population, we have observed a very peculiar and important problem related to increase in substance abuse particularly alcohol and related disorders during this time of crisis. Initially when the disease set its footsteps in India in january,2020, and eventually cases started rising across the other parts of the country, the government took appropriate initiative to combat and halt the spread of the infection across the nation by “complete lockdown” for weeks. Indeed it was an applaudable step but had a negative impact on economic and psychosocial aspects. An unexpected outcome of lockdown was seen among persons addicted to substances like alcohol due to non-availability leading to Alcohol withdrawal syndromes, black marketing of alcohol and increased frustration for no access to alcohol. But later when the process of “unlock” started, there were rising cases of patients admitting into hospitals after binge alcohol drinking for days, presenting as Acute alcoholic hepatitis or Acute Pancreatitis or Acute alcohol intoxication. This article is based on the observation made in our hospital regarding increase in alcohol related diseases attributed to binge drinking related to post–lockdown stress.