The Covid-19 Pandemic Has Caused Addiction Rates To Rise Substantially
Addiction has been a significant problem in the United States for decades now. Substance abuse and the accompanying overdoses are rising year after year. Over 70,000 people died of a drug overdose in 2019, which was about a 5% increase over the preceding year.
Covid-19 has exacerbated the addiction problem, or in other words, it has made an already severe problem even worse. People panicked over the spread of the virus, and many people were forced to stay in their homes for months at a time. The stress caused by the coronavirus lockdowns resulted in many people turning to alcohol and drugs to cope with the stress and anxiety in their lives.
The lockdowns associated with Covid-19 have caused many people who have recovered from drug and alcohol addiction to relapse into addiction and abuse. Meetings of addicts in groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous had been canceled. People who relied on such groups for support in dealing with addiction have fallen back into abuse and addiction. While meetings have shifted online, the social setting of the groups plays an important role in creating accountability for addicts and for them to stay sober.
Covid-19 lockdowns also closed many other avenues for entertainment and socialization, which are important for people to stay mentally well and avoid succumbing to drugs and alcohol. Many people were home with little to no social interaction with restaurants, churches, theaters, and concerts closed or canceled. The boredom coupled with a tendency for some people to lean towards drinking has resulted in many people reverting back to unhealthy drinking habits and substance abuse habits. Even people who have never abused drugs or alcohol have become new addicts from the stress and boredom resulting from being forced to stay home.
While the coronavirus pandemic appears to be slowing down, the addiction epidemic shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it seems to be rising to the dismay of public health officials. Since the start of the lockdowns, overdoses have jumped 30% across the country. Forty states are also reporting increased deaths from opioids.
The coronavirus pandemic has another ill-effect on battling the substance abuse crisis in our nation. Many people are now hesitant to seek treatment in rehab facilities due to a fear of catching the coronavirus. This is resulting in people who would normally seek treatment at a rehab facility choosing to forgo treatment and instead deal with their addiction problem alone. Facilities are trying to convince people they are safe, but it may take some time for people to feel comfortable seeking treatment for substance abuse in their facilities.
