MINOCQUA - How do you handle stress?

Do you turn to those things which give you comfort, like food or exercising?

In today's stressful economic times, experts say many more people are turning to alcohol.

How do you deal with today's high prices? In tough economic times, research shows more people are turning to alcohol.



Dr. Harriet Walker is a licensed Psychologist with Koller Behavorial Health Services. She says, "We know in times of stress people tend to turn to those things they found give them comfort in the past."

Dr. Walker says financial stress causes an increase in drinking. The trend is higher for men than women.

At a Trig's Cellar 70, in Mincoqua, Vodka sales are on the rise.

Dennis Kohl is a Consultant with Cellar 70. he says, "Everytime I turn around there's a new vodka available and some might be 40 or 50 dollars a bottle, so people are drinking more vodka than they ever have before."

Alcohol advertisements may also influence the way people drink.

Dr. Walker says, "That's their job to encourage people to drink at any time and with any excuse."

So whether an ad or stress is encouraging people to drink, some might be thinking, what's the excuse for the bad economy?

Dr. Walker says people who have a problem with drinking increase their drinking in times of stress.

While people who drink socially decrease their drinking because that's an area they feel they can cut back on financially.