Addiction dangers of the crisis

Carola Felchner is a freelance writer in the medical department and a certified training and nutrition advisor. She worked for various specialist magazines and online portals before becoming a freelance journalist in 2015. Before starting her internship, she studied translation and interpreting in Kempten and Munich.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

Without the internet it would be difficult to work and keep in touch with others. But constantly hanging in front of the screen and on the Internet can be addictive. And that also applies to the "relaxation drink", which can easily become an unhealthy routine in exceptional situations.

The Corona crisis is a great moment for digital technology: The Internet is a source of information and a connection to work, streaming services offer distraction and computer games keep children busy, who are hardly allowed to go outside. But isn't that dangerous? That could be, says Prof. Bert te Wildt, chief physician of the Psychosomatic Clinic Kloster Dießen (Bavaria).

It all depends on the dose

Even for addiction experts, the positive aspects of the Internet and the like predominate. However, intensive use also increases the risks under special circumstances: "I'm worried that the number of Internet addicts could rise sharply," said the expert. For example, adults living alone are at risk. Te Wildt also sees men as being at risk of becoming addicted to pornography. And young people who are underutilized may become addicted to computer games or social media.

Take analog breaks

"It is now more important than ever to be disciplined and not let yourself go completely," explains te Wildt, recommending positive - and analog - rituals as antidotes. Perhaps you can spend the first and last hour of the day completely without digital technology?

Families can also unpack board games again. And maybe a fixed reading hour or a display-free family dinner can be arranged.

Alcohol and cigarette consumption increased

The increased risk of addiction affects not only digital consumption, but also other areas of life - alcohol or tobacco consumption, for example.

An analysis of the "Bring!" App indicates that more alcohol and cigarettes are being consumed than usual. that evaluated the shopping behavior of around one million people in Germany from February 16 to March 22, 2020. Among other things, it was found that the sale of beer had increased by 36 percent, that of wine by 61 percent and that of cigarettes by 47 percent.

But alcohol is not a helpful coping strategy, warns Dr. Aiysha Malik from the World Health Organization (WHO). In Greenland's capital Nuuk, the sale of alcohol is now even banned and the state of Western Australia has limited the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Jigsaw puzzles instead of cheers

And even if there are no limits in this regard in this country, men should not consume more than one beer (0.33 l) per day (24 grams of pure alcohol), women even less. So maybe the next time you shop, don't even pack the alcohol in the car and instead read, meditate or do puzzles. (caf / dpa)

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