Alcohol-related ambulance callouts significantly increased in Victoria amid pandemic
Thousands of Victorians alleviated the stress of lockdown by turning to alcohol last year, resulting in a spike in ambulance visits to households.
Data has revealed Ambulance Victoria was called out to an alarming number of alcohol-related incidents in the home.
For mum-of-two Rachael Watson, having a glass of wine was a well-earned treat.
"Because it seems like that was your reward for when you got towards the end of the day, to just have that drink and it relaxed you a bit," Ms Watson said.
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Thousands of Victorians alleviated the stress of lockdown by turning to alcohol last year, resulting in a spike in ambulance visits to households. 9News
Months in isolation, with the added stress of home-schooling and working from home, tempted thousands to drink more than they should.
"I even had to go and sacrifice my more expensive wine for a cheaper wine because it was every day," Ms Watson said.
But for some, it's doing much more harm than good.
Professor Dan Lubman from addiction research and education centre Turning Point said using alcohol to cope could be a slippery slope.
"That drinking can escalate and alcohol can create a whole lot of harm we haven't accounted for," Professor Lubman said.
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Data has revealed Ambulance Victoria was called out to an alarming number of alcohol-related incidents in the home. 9News
During the pandemic, the number of alcohol-related ambulance callouts to Victorian homes jumped from 60 to 81 per cent compared to outside the home.
Some of the biggest drinkers were women in their 30s, with callouts up by 45 per cent.
"Calling an ambulance because of alcohol and going to hospital is something that nobody wants to plan for, and we need to have that honest conversation about what alcohol is really doing to us," Professor Lubman said.
Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said authorities were aware of the impact lockdowns have had on people.
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Some of the biggest drinkers were women in their 30s, with callouts up by 45 per cent. 9News
"We always look to lockdown as a last resort ... all of the harms that occur through lockdown are an awful consequence of that choice," Professor Sutton said.
Last year Victorians spent an extra $15 million every week on alcohol compared to other years, confirming people were not alone in having an extra drink.
Some like Ms Watson, now trying to cut down on their alcohol consumption.
"Just try to break those habits so then, ongoing from that I am not reaching for the drink at 5pm everyday," she said.
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