There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone in one way or another. Changing the lives of millions of Americans, people are trying to figure out how to navigate life with the way things are. For many, they are alone, and are not able to be around friends or family in order to protect the lives of others and themselves. We are proud to be featured on Vice video in a piece that discusses substance abuse during COVID-19. The video features our clinical director, Kansas Kafferty and other addiction experts that discuss the ramifications of this deadly pandemic and how it is affecting the recovery community.
Those struggling with addiction and substance abuse, have it particularly rough because on top of being “alone,” they do not have access to all the resources that they normally would. Kafferty discusses the repercussions of COVID-19 on those in recovery, looking for treatment and the lack of access to proper care. There has been an increase in relapse for those that have recently gotten sober (within the last few years) due to the lack of in person support that is necessary to deal with the early stages of recovery from addiction. It is important for people who are recently sober to feel connected within the addiction community, and others who are going through similar circumstances as them. This lack of connection has made it difficult for people to remain sober.
There has been an increase in drug use and alcohol use since the stay at home orders and social distancing practices have begun. Kafferty discusses how individuals will use drugs that they normally would not, due to the lack of access to particular substances. This can be dangerous, because some drugs are not exactly what they seem, and contain other substances that make it more likely for you to overdose. Experts agree that the lack of human connection and access to support groups, coupled with the increase in drug and alcohol use, it is more difficult on those with a substance abuse problem.
AToN Center is happy to be part of the conversation around substance abuse and COVID-19 and we will continue to do our best to provide proper treatment and support to those suffering from addiction.
Originally posted on December 19, 2020 @ 5:30 am
