WESTBOROUGH, Mass. - Experts in Central Massachusetts say alcohol dependence in the area has seeing a sharp, and scary increase in recent years. Accessibility is on factor of many making the fight against alcoholism so difficult for experts at Spectrum Health Systems. Whether it's a trip to the liquor store, the bar, or a drink at home.

"I think families are more accepting," said Marybeth Adams, executive director of inpatient services at New England Recovery Center. "It's more of a social event type of experience, where other drugs, your stimulants, opioid use disorder, you're using it more on your own."

The issue of alcohol dependence now accounts for 59% of Spectrum Health's admissions. It's a number which they say represents a dramatic increase since the onset of COVID-19.

Adams says there's a fine-line to determine whether or not someone may be an alcoholic.

"But when it crosses over to dysfunction in your life, it's affecting your family, it's affecting your work, it's affecting just your daily functioning," Adams said. "And it's always attached to some sort of mental health."

After nearly a decade of alcoholism, 60-year-old Tracy realized she needed help. Tracy did not want to share her last name with Spectrum News 1. It was in 2018 she started her journey to get sober.

"I was throwing up and I was not feeling great," Tracy said. "I didn't understand why I had to wake up in the morning and drink. Because that was the only thing that would help me."

Over the next few years, tracy would be in and out of rehab programs and treatment.

"Alcoholism is a funny thing," said Tracy. "It's a little guy or a girl that talks to you. It takes over."

She says it was an internet search which connected her to Spectrum Health and their New England Recovery Center. Treatment finally stuck and Tracy has been sober for more than two years.

"I wanted to show myself that I was strong enough," said Tracy. "And it wasn't until I had to really sit back and... Once, twice, three times, obviously three times wasn't the charm. What cats have nine lives? I guess I have more."

Spectrum Health hopes Tracy's story is enough to help anyone going through a similar situation.

"There's always hope," said Adams. "There's always people that will understand you. There's always treatment. You just have to give it a chance."