We’re open everyday 24/7
Get help now
Free & confidential
The coronavirus has the world firmly in its grip, and it appears the crisis is far from over. As the pandemic continues to claim lives and put much of daily life into uncertainty, the anguish of dealing with the public health emergency is affecting millions, including people who are in recovery from or dealing with substance addiction.
It is common to experience instability during a crisis, and it is times like these that substance use and addiction rates tend to spike as people try to cope with a changed reality.
Critical support systems can give way to fear and stress, and this can prompt people in recovery to pick up alcohol or drugs, thus jeopardizing the work they’ve done to remain sober. For others, using substances to deal with a health emergency can be a slippery slope that leads to a life-threatening substance use disorder.
Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), recently spoke with U.S. News and World Report about how the coronavirus can affect people’s use of drugs and alcohol.
“Whenever there’s been a catastrophe like this, there is an increase in drug consumption across the board. Our alcohol drinking goes up, smoking goes up, and people relapse,” Volkow said. “We do know that drug-taking is one of the ways that people try to cope, and unfortunately, this can have very adverse effects.”
A recent report from McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, provides a snapshot of substance use trends that are emerging as the world deals with the pandemic. Its researchers found that:
Many states have issued “stay-at-home” orders in an attempt to curb the number of COVID-19 infections and keep hospitals and healthcare centers from becoming overwhelmed with cases. As a result, forced isolation can lead one to pick up substances again because the person feels bored, lonely, or upset.
Isolation is also one of the most challenging parts of this crisis for people with substance use disorders to face. Healthline underscores this, writing, “Add general anxiety surrounding a virus and addiction avoidance becomes even more difficult.”
Ready to get Help?
We’re here 24/7. Pick up the phone.
Anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders can trigger a person to pick up an alcoholic drink or a drug. This can lead to a decision to continue to use, and relapse can soon be underway.
Relapse is a return to substance use after a break. The process is gradual and can unfold over weeks or months before the first drink or drug is used. Understandably, a crisis like the coronavirus can speed up the relapse process.
An emotional response to the situation can bring on the desire to use, no matter what is done to avoid it. It also does not matter how long a person has been in recovery. If people in this situation don’t receive help before that desire turns into an action, they can soon find they are back on the path to using, which can have dangerous and deadly consequences.
Relapse is not uncommon in the recovery community. NIDA reports that 40 to 60 percent of people who have been to treatment for a substance use disorder experience relapse.
It recommended that substance addiction be treated like other chronic illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension.
A relapse also does not mean that earlier substance abuse treatment has failed. It is an indicator that treatment for the disorder needs to be reinstated, adjusted, or changed to facilitate a return to recovery.
Any thought about going back to substance use after one has made the decision to quit using is worth closely evaluating. If you or someone you know isn’t dealing with the stress of the coronavirus pandemic well or is feeling anxious, it’s important to acknowledge that and reach out for help. No one has to do this alone. There are virtual support groups among people who truly understand recovery, and they are there to offer guidance and a place to express your feelings. If you want to try to manage these feelings on your own, there are things you can do.
Below are positive steps to take to handle negative emotions at such a high-stress time. First, remember to take each day one at a time, and be mindful that stress and anxiety do not have to take over your life. You can be in control. Keeping a daily routine and engaging in activities that make you feel good can make staying home more manageable.
Many people are concerned about how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe during this time. Healthcare officials have advised us to:
In addition to engaging in daily housekeeping and hygiene practices, there are things you can do to feel a sense of control and personal responsibility. Consider:
You can also find more tips on how to protect your mental health and well-being at the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In addition to recommending that a mental health treatment plan be followed, the organization also shares why practicing mindfulness and acceptance techniques can help.
If you’ve tried these or similar things and find that you need more help, do not hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional or facility that specializes in treatment for substance use and mental health disorders. These centers can connect you with licensed therapists to help you manage stress, anxiety, and other overwhelming emotions of the coronavirus crisis.
Why COVID-19 Poses Added Dangers for Drug Users. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2020-04-02/coronavirus-poses-added-dangers-for-drug-users-nora-volkow-says
About the author(s) Erica Hutchins Coe is a partner in McKinsey’s Atlanta office. Kana Enomoto is a senior expert in Washington. (n.d.). Returning to resilience: The impact of COVID-19 on mental health and substance use. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/returning-to-resilience-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-behavioral-health?cid=other-eml-alt-mip-mck&hlkid=3201130c8ae4497b9c2b0cd269b835e6&hctky=10146002&hdpid=12f6968c-21f7-4117-be80-642a4d689e86
Drinking Levels Defined. (2019, November 26). Retrieved from https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking
Melemis, S, (September, 2015). Relapse Prevention and the Five Rules of Recovery. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved April, 2018 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4553654/
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018, July). Treatment and Recovery. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/treatment-recovery
“Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings.”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Apr. 2020. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover.html
“How to Protect Your Mental Health during the Coronavirus Outbreak.”NAMI. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/March-2020/How-to-Protect-Your-Mental-Health-during-the-Coron
Wong, C. (2020, April 3). Mindfulness Meditation: What It Is and How to Practice. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/mindfulness-meditation-88369