Last updated on April 14, 2022
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted people’s physical and mental health. Protocols like limited mobility and social distancing may make an individual feel low-spirited and alienated. In the United States of America, mental health issues have been a significant problem for many years. The current pandemic has only intensified the crisis and led to a high level of substance abuse.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ¹ “As of June 2020, 13% of Americans reported starting or increasing substance use as a way of coping with stress or emotions related to Covid-19”. The incidence and quantity of drug use during the pandemic have increased significantly.
What is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is a chronic pattern of excessive or frequent drug/ alcohol use that damages physical and mental health. Examples include:
- Taking drugs without prescription
- Excessive drinking
- Use of illicit drugs
- Taking a higher dose of drugs
- Taking medications for reasons other than prescribed
- Injecting, smoking, and snorting drugs
Drug abusers include people of all ages, sex, economic background, and ethnicity. Individuals suffering from mental health issues are more likely to become addicted.
Rise in Substance Abuse Due to Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has indeed contributed to a great extent. Still, a few underlying factors like family problems, unemployment, peer pressure, stress, family genetics, and environment also contribute to this problem. Besides the risk of substance abuse, people with this condition are more prone to Covid-19 and experience the worst outcomes.
Impact of Covid-19 on Substance Abuse
After numerous studies, researchers have concluded that the ongoing virus also played a significant role in increasing substance abuse. Anxiety, depression, loneliness, and economic pressure are major driving forces.
Due to the pandemic, people have not participated in social activities or visited rehabilitation, making them more vulnerable to misusing substances. Early in the pandemic, it was challenging for people to access medical care to recover from illicit drug use.
Substance Abuse Treatment and Prevention during Covid-19
The Use of Telemedicine
Just when it seemed challenging to seek proper medical care amidst Covid-19, the rise in Telemedicine was a blessing in disguise for those suffering from substance abuse and other mental problems. Community-based programs like Alcoholics Anonymous offer assistance to people suffering from substance abuse virtually.
Healthcare providers/ psychologists should take the following steps to combat the rise in substance abuse.
- The first and foremost thing is to screen all patients for excessive drinking.
- Screen all patients for substance abuse. Also, refer people who have substance abuse disorder to specialized treatment.
- Refer patients with alcohol use disorder to specialized treatment.
The Use of Cognitive-behavioral Therapy with Contingency Management
There are no FDA-approved medications to help patients recover from drugs. An effective means to treat this condition include combining cognitive behavioral therapy with contingency management. In this method, patients receive rewards for not taking drugs.
One of the ways to treat patients with substance abuse is to remind them they have come a long way. While it’s good to remind them of how blessed they are, it’s equally important to set realistic expectations. That helps control temperament problems and foster resilience.
Health Education
Educating people that substance abuse is a severe disorder and not a choice is one of the best preventive measures. As more and more people become aware of the ways to treat this progressive and chronic disease, they will seek help.
Community Involvement
Encourage patient involvement in online community support groups. Apart from treating in outpatient settings once a week, healthcare providers must encourage substance abusers to seek help from community support groups actively.
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A very good read.