People in recovery will tell you that addiction isn’t just about neurochemical dependency, or intoxicating substances, or thrill-seeking behaviors. Addiction is also connected to control, security, and self-worth — all of which took a massive beating during the pandemic. Addiction trends accelerated during Covid-19 as stress levels increased and support networks crumbled. When Men’s Health polled 1,111 people, 75% of respondents said they are close to someone struggling with addiction and 40% reported an increase in cravings for addictive substances or behaviors. One reason: They didn’t have other people around to keep them feeling connected, grounded, and upbeat, says Ken Duckworth, M.D., CMO of NAMI. The fraying of connectivity can trigger addictive behaviors — alcohol, painkillers, drugs, porn, gambling — and relapse for those in recovery. There’s also still a stigma attached to addiction, which means people often suffer in isolation.
