The report, supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), surveyed more than 1,000 individuals with substance use disorders, plus an additional 533 people without a disorder across 46 states, and found that the pandemic is having a marked effect on people’s health and emotional wellbeing.
While the survey isn’t completely representative and more research is needed to get a complete picture, the initial findings do give a telling glimpse into how Covid-19 is impacting people with addiction.
Results showed that a third of respondents reported a disruption in their treatment or support services, of which 14% can’t access the services or treatment they need. These services include in-person support, syringe and naloxone services, and medication assisted treatment like methadone.
“When you disrupt those [services] that becomes very problematic,” said Hulsey.
According to the Addiction Policy Forum report, 4% of people surveyed experienced an overdose since the pandemic began.
“It’s a number and feedback from our field that we need to take seriously,” said Hulsey, “We had 45 overdoses reported, 10 being fatal and there were also write-in comments about suicidal ideation and suicidal thoughts.”
In addition, there were also several mentions of relapse.
“My parent was doing well in recovery – seeing a therapist, going to AA meetings daily, and getting out and about to stay active. Being stuck inside and socially isolated resulted in a relapse. He is hard of hearing so has not been able to utilize telehealth and his therapist’s calendar has been booked up,” said one of the Addiction Policy Forum report respondents.
Anecdotally, experts have also noted a rise in relapses across the U.S.
“Yes, we are already starting to see an increase in relapses,” Dayry Hulkow, M.S., a primary therapist at Arete Recovery, a Delphi Behavioral Health Group facility, told Fox News.
“There’s some initial data coming out of the White House that suggests that there might be spikes in overdoses and relapses and we’re hearing from our stakeholder and practitioner friends on the ground that they’re seeing more overdoses, relapses and deaths by suicide during the pandemic,” added Hulsey.
Although, the increase is not that surprising since experts have warned that this could be an unintended consequence for people in recovery since the outset of the pandemic.
Experts explain that the conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic are ripe for relapse and overdose.
“Addiction is a chronic disease. It has more in common with diabetes or heart disease, so you need long-term support,” explains Hulsey, mentioning things like 12-step programs, counselling, diet and exercise.
“All of a sudden during the pandemic the resources and tools that people have built have become harder to access or they’ve disappeared altogether and that can create a crisis.”
Dr. Mark Calarco, American Addiction Centers national medical director for clinical diagnostics, added that stress, isolation and the lack of normal routines are also major triggers for relapse.
“Peoples normal routines have been impacted and it’s a significant issue,” he said.
“People who are in recovery need structure, they need contact with others who can support them. They need a routine. Now with Covid those things aren’t available. So people are at home, stressed and if there’s paraphernalia around that’s a temptation. Also they don’t have the reinforcement they need.”
This can be especially difficult when you’re in the early stages of recovery, but can be equally challenging even if you’ve been in recovery for a long time.
“I have been free of illicit drugs for 20 years. During the last month I have felt more at risk of relapse than I ever have,” said one of the report respondents.
While service providers have done their best to adapt to the current limitations – switching to virtual group meetings or telehealth counselling – experts say they aren’t enough.
“They’re good supplementals but they don’t take the place of face-to-face,” said Calarco.
“We need to make sure as the Covid-19 pandemic collides with the opioid epidemic and addiction that we are providing additional services to take better care of our patients,” said Hulsey.
Going forward, Hulsey thinks healthcare providers need to think creatively about how to accommodate patients and continue vital services. She suggested things like extra large meeting rooms or moving group meetings outside emphasising that protections need to be put in place for patients.
“We need to make sure we are providing a level of care that people need to meet them where they are, and figure out what works and what doesn’t for each patient, particularly with so many people are struggling with addition,” said Hulsey.
“If we’re seeing [… overdose] numbers start going in the wrong direction again, we need to act quickly to make sure we connect people to care immediately.”
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mishagajewski/2020/06/09/people-cant-access-addiction-treatment-or-support-because-of-the-pandemic-and-its-very-problematic-say-experts/#124a440342a4
