The opioid problem has been dubbed the most significant public health disaster of our time, second only to COVID-19. Mendell (2021) says that many expected to pass swiftly, an epidemic is still wreaking havoc on innocent people, and there appears to be no end in sight. Others are stressed out and trying to stay afloat, while others have switched to autonomous mode. Heimer et al. (2020) state that, on the other hand, the recovery community is a group of individuals who are particularly sensitive to the pandemic’s harmful impacts. Picchio (2020) mentions that during this worldwide epidemic, they face unique problems resulting in extensive relapses and new cases of drug use disorders. According to Mendell (2021) reduced social contacts, isolation, and an increased number of stressful factors in everyday life are just some of the problems that people face in their daily lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. These sudden life changes make it difficult for people who suffer from alcohol and drug dependence to fight their addictions.
Alcohol consumption is associated with the development of a wide range of infectious and non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders, which can increase people’s vulnerability to COVID-19. Heimer et al. (2020) mention that, alcohol negatively affects the body’s immune system and increases the risk of adverse health consequences. Mendell (2021) states that people need to minimize alcohol consumption in all situations, and especially in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Rogowska (2020), the stress caused by social distancing and increased isolation, people may experience unexpected changes in their lives during the pandemic, including job loss, business closure, job uncertainty, and other financial stressors. Each form of stress is linked to a higher risk of alcohol and drug abuse.
Collective anxiety due to the COVID-19 epidemic also leads to an increase in alcohol consumption. Ornell et al. (2020) point out that in the mass consciousness, alcohol has always been considered a kind of sedative. According to Xiong et al. (2020), once in the body, drink slows down the brain’s reactions and affects the pleasure center, stimulating the production of the hormone dopamine. Based on Heimer et al. (2020) the effect of the positive impact is short-lived — the body quickly neutralizes the toxin, and after that, the psychological state worsens, discomfort and anxiety occur. Various studies have noted that if a person drinks alcohol during a pandemic, it can become the basis for the formation of a persistent habit (Ornell et al., 2020). The most at risk are impulsive individuals, people with mental and behavioral disorders, and those who got rid of alcohol addiction shortly before the pandemic.
It is worth noting that the pandemic has made it difficult for people to access addiction treatment. Many mental health and addiction specialists have switched to providing virtual assistance during the pandemic to the greatest extent possible (Picchio, 2020). For people who can easily access virtual care, it can be a valuable substitute for personal care. Heimer et al. (2020) state that the inability to access alcohol addiction treatment may hinder their recovery. The fact is that social interaction and support are important factors for people struggling with addiction; isolation puts them in danger. Based on Mendell (2021) words, staying clean can be difficult without ongoing help such as therapy, peer support groups, 12-step programs, or regular drug and alcohol tests. Wei and Shah (2020) mention that without treatment, many people may relapse to bad coping techniques like substance misuse, and negative thought patterns may continue to promote these behaviors.
COVID-19 was expected to restrict drug access, taking into account restricted borders and social distancing techniques. Heimer et al. (2020) point out that drugs are still readily available, and synthetic drugs and unknown substances may pose a threat, and toxicology reports reveal synthetic drugs and unusual compounds. Ornell et al. (2020) mention that this confirms fears about fentanyl and opioid analogs made illegally spreading during the epidemic. To make matters worse, some people use drugs alone as a result of their isolation.
With COVID-19 possibly aggravating America’s addiction issue, individuals need care and resources more than ever. Many essential services, including inpatient therapy and pharmaceutical access, have been restricted to avoid virus exposure. While some clients may be treated in an outpatient setting, others require inpatient care. According to Heimer et al. (2020), those who have suffered a drug overdose or are having severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms may require more thorough treatment and 24-hour monitoring. Mendell (2021) argue that Some institutions have restricted “non-essential” addiction treatments, such as consultation activities for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, in order to limit virus exposure. They also reduced employees and limited access to specialists, and changed drug and alcohol testing protocols, putting emergency medical demands ahead of long-term risks.
However, because the symptoms of alcohol and drug withdrawal are similar to those of COVID, restricting access to care may be incompatible. Nausea, vomiting, sweating, and seizures are just some of the symptoms that might occur. Heimer et al. (2020) states that because this population is already disadvantaged as a result of the stigma associated with substance misuse, they may be less inclined to seek treatment when they display symptoms. Ornell et al. (2020) point out that high-risk behaviors include failing to follow social distancing measures due to poor judgment or having variable living conditions, making hygiene difficult. Rogers et al. (2020) state that persons with substance abuse disorders frequently have co-occurring health illnesses and weakened immune systems, which increases their chance of getting COVID. Restricting the activities of various organizations also exposes the recovery community to the risk of being unable to find help and support at the right time.
Quarantine in connection with the coronavirus means different things for everyone: it is an inevitable inconvenience or combining work duties with a homestay. Heimer et al. (2020) mentions that for people with drug or alcohol problems, quarantine is fraught with dangers. According to Ornell et al. (2020), on the government’s recommendation, people maintain a social distance, which is quite stressful interference in people’s regular lives – even though it is often associated with addictive behavior. Rogers et al. (2020) state that for people undergoing treatment for substance abuse disorders, a situation of stress and isolation in connection with CIVIC-19 can lead to risky behavior.
During the early phases of the epidemic, some feared that the recovery community would be devastated. According to multiple articles, national, state, and local media have documented an increase in opioid-related mortality in numerous states (Volkow, 2020). Heimer et al. (2020) identify that national overdoses have increased by 42 percent, according to data obtained from ambulance crews, hospitals, and police complaints. Rehospitalization rates, if not addressed, might result in another public health disaster. Ornell et al. (2020) say that during COVID, telehealth plays a critical part in the delivery of addiction therapy. The coronavirus situation has made remote medical care more popular and accessible, which creates a new reality. Wei and Shah (2020) mention that despite the fact that telehealth may not be the best option for persons suffering from addiction, it may still be a valuable source of help. On the other hand, some people like the private aspect of telehealth services since it allows them to keep their identity.
References
Heimer, R., McNeil, R., & Vlahov, D. (2020). A community responds to the COVID-19 pandemic: A case study in protecting the health and human rights of people who use drugs. Journal of urban health: bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, 97(4), 448–456.
Mendell, G. (2021). Addressing the addiction crisis during a pandemic. American Journal of Health Promotion, 35(2), 317-319.
Ornell, F., Moura, H. F., Scherer, J. N., Pechansky, F., Kessler, F., & von Diemen, L. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on substance use: Implications for prevention and treatment. Psychiatry research, 289, 113096.
Picchio, C. A. (2020). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on harm reduction services in Spain. Harm Reduction Journal, 17, 87.
Rogers, A. H., Shepherd, J. M., Garey, L., & Zvolensky, M. J. (2020). Psychological factors associated with substance use initiation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry research, 293, 113407.
Rogowska, A. M. (2020). Examining anxiety, life satisfaction, general health, stress and coping styles during COVID-19 pandemic in Polish sample of university students. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 13, 797–811.
Volkow, N. D. (2020). Collision of the COVID-19 and Addiction Epidemics. Annals of Internal Medicine, 173(1), 61–62.
Wei, Y., & Shah, R. (2020). Substance Use Disorder in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of Vulnerabilities and Complications. Pharmaceuticals, 13(7), 155.
Xiong, J., Lipsitz, O., Nasri, F., Lui, L., Gill, H., Phan, L., Chen-Li, D., Iacobucci, M., Ho, R., Majeed, A., & McIntyre, R. S. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 277, 55–64.