In Indiana and across the country, alcohol is the most used — and abused — substance. And as people self-isolate and social-distance, that doesn't appear to be changing.

According to market research firm Nielsen, national sales of alcoholic beverages spiked 55% in the week ending March 21 and sales of spirits jumped 75% compared to the same dates in 2019. Beer purchases were up by 66% and wine up 42% year-on-year.

Ed Hirt, professor of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University, isn't surprised by that number.

"I mean people have to relax, have to be able to alleviate some of that stress and anxiety," he said. Alcohol "smooths the edges and helps us cope a little bit better.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing? It kind of depends."

For those who can self-regulate, alcohol can be a way to cope, Hirt said. But for others, like those struggling with addiction, it's a recipe for danger.

A recipe already in the making.

'Alarming' statistics

During Gov. Eric Holcomb's Friday press briefing, Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan revealed what she called "alarming" numbers around mental health and addiction in the state.

Sullivan said Indiana's 211 hotline went from receiving roughly 1,000 calls a day regarding mental health — including suicidal ideation — to 25,000 calls a day. And calls to Indiana's addiction hotlines went from an average of 20 a week to 20 a day.

"For those with substance use disorder, this can be an especially scary time," Sullivan said. "They say that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but connection. And it's very easy to be disconnected right now."

Hirt noted the extra challenges people are facing, like unemployment and homeschooling, and being confined to one home with family members for long periods of time.

"So we know that that's going to get people irritated and aggravated," he said. "And one of the things we know alcohol does is it loosens inhibitions."

Hirt said his biggest fear, particularly in homes that have weapons, is people combining alcohol with those frustrations and harming others.

More:How to get help for domestic violence during coronavirus crisis

Avoiding excessive drinking

Jon Agley, deputy director of research at Prevention Insights, an addiction research center based at the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington, said it can't yet be known whether the pandemic will lead to more people developing alcohol use disorders, but it's certainly possible.

Hirt said people need to know themselves and their limits, noting that their normal checks and balances — like friends, family and the daily responsibilities that hold them accountable — might not be as present during the pandemic.

For those who can responsibly drink as a way to relax, Hirt said it's still important to have other outlets.

"Don't make it your only thing," he said.

Agley said different outlets will suit some people better than others. But some healthy coping mechanisms include taking breaks from the news, staying physically health and making extra efforts to connect with others.

Mental health:Anxiety over coronavirus is normal. Here's how to manage it.

Getting help

During Holcomb's press conference, Sullivan introduced Dr. Hani Ahmad from the Bowen Center for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery via video conferencing. It was an example of the kind of virtual help still available for people who need it.

Ahmad said feeling scared and anxious "is a very normal response to being in such an uncertain time." He asked questions like, "Are you spending most of your time feeling worried? Are you having panic-like symptoms? Are you feeling emotionally out of control or burned out?"

Holcomb could relate.

“I made some notes for myself," he said after Ahmad's presentation. "And that all rings very true to I think everyone sitting at this table.”

Sullivan encouraged people to take advantage of telehealth during the pandemic. Contact your insurance provider to find doctors and therapists offering virtual services. Ahmad said a primary care physician can determine whether medication is appropriate.

Sullivan also noted that addiction meetings like AA have moved online and recovery centers are continuing inpatient treatment.

In addition to Indiana's 211 hotline, people can call 1-800-985-5990, a national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people experiencing emotional distress related to a disaster. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-TALK (8255)

"Our recovery process is going to be incredibly critical," Sullivan said. "for individuals that come out on the other side of this with either an exacerbated or a new substance use disorder."

Contact IndyStar reporter Elizabeth DePompei at 317-444-6196 or edepompei@indystar.com. Follow her on Twitter: @edepompei.