As the world adjusts itself to the terrifying reality of COVID-19 and its impact on all of our lives, one major topic that has come into discussion is that of addiction recovery. As has been reported elsewhere, the number of people going for medical admissions and assistance – including for addiction – have plummeted. Going near a hospital is seen as a bad idea for the majority due to the infectious nature of COVID-19, so many people with genuine medical needs are going without.

This is most commonly seen if you were to look into the world of drug addiction and the chances for recovery. While isolation might help an addict avoid having to go to get their fix due to lockdown, it’s actually impacting many addict’s ability to fight back and eventually overcome addiction.

This has become a major problem, as social distancing is causing many people who are in isolation to have problems in defeating the condition and eventually recovering in full. This was noted by Kyler Robbins, a clinical lead for substance abuse across Haywood County. Working for the Meridian Behavioural Health Services, Robbins said of the situation: “We have seen a lot of people struggling with increased use due to being isolated. In addition, there is a lack of accountability in some ways. Boredom is a huge trigger for most people in early recovery and the inability to participate in some of their regular recovery activities has led some to relapse,”

The problem is only expected to worsen, too, as many deaths are taking place due to overdoses. According to one local sheriff, Curtis Cochran, some 32 overdoses in the last couple of weeks have taken place – including a minimum of seven deaths. With many people unable to get out of their homes, the hope was that isolation would see them self-defeat addiction.

Instead, the crushing nature of isolation is pushing many addicts back into periods of desperation and desire. It’s a tough thing to solve, for sure, but it’s a problem that has to be faced up with realism and a desire to make a change.

Indeed, many law enforcement officers are noticing very little change in the number of people who are turning up for overdoses and drug-related deaths. While there has been a minor reduction in some locations for things like overdoses and deaths, many people suffering from substance abuse are simply not being heard when they talk about and discuss their plight.

With many people with addictions are unable to see their children during isolation, too, one of their prime motivators for recovery has been removed from them. It’s hard to see a solid solution out of this problem, as many poor people are going to suffer massively due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Among the most impacted, though, look to be addicts. And, as ever, there is not enough being done to give them the help and support they need to break free of the situation they face. Is that right? Is that fair?

Citation

https://www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/29081-dealing-with-addiction-during-pandemic