Thank you for shedding light on the plight of a highly marginalised group in our communities. Alcohol withdrawal is complex and would be potentiated further in the current climate of helplessness and uncertainty.

You are right about the increased stress on ICU and emergency departments if alcohol withdrawal increased. It would undoubtedly make medical decision-making all the more challenging.

It is important to note, however, that self-isolation can also lead to higher alcohol consumption by the overall population. Factors such as boredom, grief and feelings of loss of control can all contribute to excessive drinking. This would propagate preventable trauma, unintentional overdose or severe gastritis or pancreatitis (alcohol-related inflammation of the gastric lining and pancreas respectively). This could create a very real strain on ICU beds too.

So I am still on the fence about liquor shops being open but thank you for sharing a lesser known point of view.