Categories
Addiction Recovery

Why COVID-19 Caused a Rise in Relapse

Why COVID-19 Caused a Rise in Relapse [and What to Do About It]

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted almost everyone in some way. Some people lost jobs. Others lost loved ones. Some even had to battle the COVID virus, themselves. 

But for recovering addicts, COVID struck twice as hard. The addiction epidemic was already running rampant throughout the country, and a pandemic decided to show up, it’s almost as if the two teamed up to make matters worse for those in recovery. 

Simply put, COVID-19 has created a larger addiction problem and has caused a rise in relapses over the last year. 

Why the sudden spike? And what can be done about it now? If you’re a recovering addict, what can you do to protect yourself from relapsing, or get back on track if you’ve already slipped?

Why the Rise in Relapse

Since the pandemic began, there have been plenty of rules and restrictions put in place. The most widely used practices have included social distancing, quarantining/staying home, and wearing masks while out. 

Unfortunately, all three practices can be difficult for those in recovery. 

Isolation comes with plenty of problems for everyone. It has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and a weaker immune system. From a mental health standpoint, it can cause anxiety and depression. 

For a recovering addict, feeling alone is even harder. It’s important to have a support system and people who can hold you accountable. When you feel you can’t see those people who help you or reach out when you’re triggered, it can make it far too easy to relapse. A report by NPR found an 18% increase in overdoses across the U.S. throughout the pandemic. People staying at home and abusing alcohol and other substances behind closed doors created a dangerous combination.

The Stress of Everything

It’s not just the isolation that has triggered a rise in relapse across the country. This pandemic has caused a lot of fear, uncertainty, and stress for everyone. Maybe you had just gotten a new job but were laid off because of the virus. Or maybe you haven’t been able to see older family members or high-risk friends. You might even be concerned about your financial situation. 

Everyone has their own “triggers” with substance use. But a common trigger is stress. Many addicts use alcohol or other substances to deal with stress or cope with anxiety. 

When you feel you don’t have any other outlet and the stress is getting to you, relapsing becomes a greater possibility. 

What Can You Do About It?

The most important thing you can do to keep from relapsing is to be as proactive as possible. Some facilities across the country have seen fewer people looking for treatment and help throughout the pandemic. That doesn’t have to be the case. You don’t have to fall into that statistic.

Now, there is a light at the end of the tunnel in the pandemic. Thanks to the vaccine rollout, more things are opening up. That can serve as your own “light”, too. 

If you’ve been struggling to stay sober, don’t be afraid to reach out to a treatment center as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t able to visit a facility or speak to an addiction specialist in person, it’s worth it to set up an appointment online. 

Remember, you aren’t alone in what you might be feeling right now. Reminding yourself of that can be a tremendous help. The effects of this pandemic won’t last forever, and you can get back on track by seeking the support you need by any means possible. 

Categories
Uncategorized

Detox During a Pandemic: Challenges of Detox and Residential Addiction Treatment During COVID-19

Detox during a pandemic can sound impossible. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost everyone in some way. But, if you’re struggling with opiate addiction, the implications of this pandemic can be even more challenging.

Even now, as restrictions across the country are starting to relax and facilities are beginning to re-open, it’s vital to understand that the pandemic threat isn’t over. As a result, many outpatient treatment centers (OTCs) will remain closed or provide limited services.

Detox can seem scary and dangerous if you feel you have to go through it on your own. If you were already in some addiction treatment program before COVID-19 hit, you might also be wondering what resources are available to you now.

Detox during a pandemic is possible, as long as you know what those resources are.

With that in mind, let’s look at how you can safely receive addiction treatment and detox during a pandemic.

The Rise of Telehealth and Digital Support

The American Society of Addiction Medicine has suggested that Opioid Treatment Centers remain open and available for patients during this time. However, they are also aware that those who work in such facilities need to stay safe.

As a result, a few changes have been made when it comes to addiction treatment. One example is the use of telehealth and digital support.

Naturally, this depends on your stage of treatment. If you are used to attending therapy or support groups to battle your addiction, being able to do it digitally is a great way to stay connected while you detox during a pandemic. (Many detox hospitals will accommodate you being able to stay connected to sober peers while in their facility). It will help you to realize you’re not alone. You can always reach out to someone when you need it.

Staggering Appointments

One of the challenges of detoxing during a pandemic is merely walking into a treatment center to get the help you need. But don’t let that keep you from seeking out treatment altogether.

Treatment centers across the country are figuring out ways to stagger appointments. The goal of this is to keep patients safely six feet apart in waiting rooms. Other centers are trying to keep face-to-face contact as limited as possible. And most have adopted new protocols for even more intensive cleaning and safety.

If you need treatment, call your local addiction treatment center to learn more about what they are doing in response to COVID-19, and how they can help you. You just need to ask. Once you have the information, you can easily make the best decision for you and your recovery.

A Helpful Assessment Tool

Another challenge that those going through detox or addiction treatment might face is knowing what type of treatment or services they honestly need. Recently, the ASAM has released a free online addiction treatment needs assessment.

It is a 13-question assessment you can take from the comfort of your own home. The questions relate to substance abuse, your environment, and your behaviors. The goal is to help you make an informed decision about your treatment options and what might work best for you if you are seeking help.

Substance abuse treatment is not a “one size fits all” solution. This assessment helps to make sure you can get the treatment you need, not someone else.

The Next Step

This pandemic has forced businesses, organizations, and even healthcare facilities to change how they do things, mostly to keep people safe. Opioid treatment centers are no different.

There are challenges to overcome during these uncertain times. Yet, don’t let those challenges keep you from getting the help you need to fight back against your addictions.

If you’re looking for more information on how to detox during a pandemic or want to know about addiction treatment options, please contact me. Or, visit my page on Opiate Addiction to learn more about how I can help.

Feeling alone during this time of social distancing is no surprise. But help is always available when you’re trying to beat your addiction. Here is a link to some info on Family Involvement and Addiction .