Dr. Sarah Wakeman

Some people were losing people that they loved. And so we saw all of this escalating substance use. And it was actually most pronounced in people who are frontline workers. So that could be a health care provider. It could also be someone working in a grocery store or a convenience store who had to work through the scariest times of the pandemic. And also people who are caregivers.

Some people were losing people that they loved. And so we saw all of this escalating substance use. And it was actually most pronounced in people who are frontline workers. So that could be a health care provider. It could also be someone working in a grocery store or a convenience store who had to work through the scariest times of the pandemic. And also people who are caregivers.

So those are kind of the two groups that had the biggest increase in their substance use during the pandemic.

So those are kind of the two groups that had the biggest increase in their substance use during the pandemic.

Yeah, well, alcohol is a really complicated one because alcohol has lots of different effects on the brain. So any drug or substance that can cause addiction is going to release dopamine. That's sort of a primary driver of many things that we find rewarding, whether it's sex or food or alcohol or drugs.

Yeah, well, alcohol is a really complicated one because alcohol has lots of different effects on the brain. So any drug or substance that can cause addiction is going to release dopamine. That's sort of a primary driver of many things that we find rewarding, whether it's sex or food or alcohol or drugs.

But alcohol also, so it binds to the part of our brain, a system called GABA, which is sort of our anti-anxiety system. So it's the same system that anxiety medications like People may have heard of Ativan or lorazepam or Xanax, these medications that are kind of sedatives and anxiety meds. Alcohol acts on that part of the brain.

But alcohol also, so it binds to the part of our brain, a system called GABA, which is sort of our anti-anxiety system. So it's the same system that anxiety medications like People may have heard of Ativan or lorazepam or Xanax, these medications that are kind of sedatives and anxiety meds. Alcohol acts on that part of the brain.

And it actually then causes a release of your endogenous opioids in your brain, so like your brain's natural painkillers. So that's actually why one of the medications that's effective in helping people stop drink actually just blocks the opioid response in the brain, which doesn't make sense when you first hear about it until you understand these neural mechanisms.

And it actually then causes a release of your endogenous opioids in your brain, so like your brain's natural painkillers. So that's actually why one of the medications that's effective in helping people stop drink actually just blocks the opioid response in the brain, which doesn't make sense when you first hear about it until you understand these neural mechanisms.

that actually your sort of natural painkiller system is activated by drinking. So when you hear someone talk about alcohol gives them pain relief, whether that's emotional or physical, that's a very real thing. That's a powerful system in our brain that gets activated when you're drinking.

that actually your sort of natural painkiller system is activated by drinking. So when you hear someone talk about alcohol gives them pain relief, whether that's emotional or physical, that's a very real thing. That's a powerful system in our brain that gets activated when you're drinking.

Totally. It's an anti-anxiety, anti-pain medication sort of all in one. And I think often this is part of the area where I think just getting more awareness and education about alcohol is so important because we see that as a way of treating ourselves, right? And it's very easy to have that get out of control.

Totally. It's an anti-anxiety, anti-pain medication sort of all in one. And I think often this is part of the area where I think just getting more awareness and education about alcohol is so important because we see that as a way of treating ourselves, right? And it's very easy to have that get out of control.

And I think especially if in your head you think, as long as I'm not like drinking in the morning or missing work because of drinking or, you know, having problems in my relationships, I'm fine. But actually there's so many health problems and even life problems related to alcohol that people may make different decisions for themselves if they had that awareness earlier on.

And I think especially if in your head you think, as long as I'm not like drinking in the morning or missing work because of drinking or, you know, having problems in my relationships, I'm fine. But actually there's so many health problems and even life problems related to alcohol that people may make different decisions for themselves if they had that awareness earlier on.

Yes, it's a great question. Trauma at any time can put you at risk for addiction. The earlier that happens, the more sort of long-lasting the impact can be. So when we think about the brain, you know, your brain doesn't really fully form until early to mid-20s. And so both in terms of trauma, but also in terms of early substance exposure, you're at much greater risk when you're younger.

Yes, it's a great question. Trauma at any time can put you at risk for addiction. The earlier that happens, the more sort of long-lasting the impact can be. So when we think about the brain, you know, your brain doesn't really fully form until early to mid-20s. And so both in terms of trauma, but also in terms of early substance exposure, you're at much greater risk when you're younger.

But that doesn't mean that trauma in later life doesn't put you at risk for developing substance use as well. So I've seen people who, you know, their first trauma was in their 20s or 30s or 40s, and they can still develop a substance use disorder. It's just the risk is even greater when you experience those adversities as a child.

But that doesn't mean that trauma in later life doesn't put you at risk for developing substance use as well. So I've seen people who, you know, their first trauma was in their 20s or 30s or 40s, and they can still develop a substance use disorder. It's just the risk is even greater when you experience those adversities as a child.