The Impact of Two Epidemics: Addiction and COVID-19

4,384 people died of a drug-related overdose in Pennsylvania in 2019. Though that’s an alarming, high number, overdose rates fell slightly each year from 2017 to 2019. At the beginning of the year, it seemed like the extent of the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania may have been taking a turn for the better.

Then the coronavirus pandemic swept the globe and amplified the addiction problem in Pennsylvania. Studies released over the past few months show that the decline in previous years isn’t likely to continue. Battling against the widespread addiction epidemic on its own is difficult enough. It’s only gotten worse with the ongoing spread of coronavirus.

Even with the lower numbers, Pennsylvania still has the third-highest rate of deaths due to drug overdose in the country. The state has a serious opiate and opioid problem. Prescription painkillers and heroin are some of the most dangerous drugs available. More than 80 percent of fatal overdoses in 2019 were caused by opioids.

COVID-19 doesn’t only affect people with existing substance abuse problems. The pandemic created a widespread feeling of fear throughout the entire world. Growing numbers of people are turning to alcohol and drugs for relief, too. More people are using substances to cope with the stress of stay-at-home orders and overall uncertainty.

Group gatherings were put on a hiatus to curb the spread of the coronavirus. No more restaurants, concerts, or church on Sundays. It also meant no more recovery meetings. People who relied on programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery now found themselves stuck at home.

Its easier to maintain long-term sobriety with a group. That’s one of the main benefits for people who attend recovery meetings. Accountability is an important part of recovery. Closing down in-person meetings limited that vital aspect. Meetings shifted online to keep the support going but people were still stuck at home.

Stay-at-home orders meant that more people were drinking and using alone. People relapsed behind closed doors. As a result, data reported by NPR revealed an 18% spike in overdose rates across the United States. The reports also showed an increase in fatal drug overdoses. Overall, 60% of the counties participating in the study reported higher drug overdose rates.

The Overdose Detection Mapping Program released a report on COVID’s impact on the addiction epidemic. According to their report, more than 40 states show higher numbers of opioid-related fatalities since March. Concerns about substance use disorders and mental illness, in general, continue growing as well. The ODMAP’s report revealed:

• 17.6% increase in overdoses during stay-at-home orders between March 19 and May 19
• 42% jump in nationwide overdoses in May alone
• 30% spike in overdose alerts following the stay-at-home orders
• 20% spike in weekly alerts since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

As more reports release, the true impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the addiction epidemic will become clear. Until then, the alarming spike in substance abuse and overdose rates don’t look like they’re going to slow.

Safehouse, another Philadelphia nonprofit, is fighting now more than ever. They’re determined to introduce safe injection sites in Philadelphia. They hope that providing a safe place for people struggling with addiction can keep them alive long enough to get clean. In the face of higher overdose rates due to COVID-19, they’re pushing harder now than ever before.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a collection of resources. They are aimed at individuals struggling to control their alcohol and substance use. The CDC recognizes the effects of increased stress and the relief that substances seem to provide. Their resources suggest looking to alcohol and drug rehab facilities for addiction treatment.

Addiction treatment centers are doing their best to help people struggling with alcohol and drug abuse. They’re working to treat individuals with the progressive, deadly disease of addiction. Now they need to take extensive precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their facilities.

COVID-19 led to higher rates of substance use, relapse, and overdose. It also impacted the way addiction treatment facilities can care for their clients. Growing concern about shared spaces creates a problem for programs trying to save clients’ lives. According to some facilities, fewer people are looking at treatment facilities for help.

This leads back to the problem of people drinking and using alone in their homes. Those who abuse substances and alcohol may not look for the live-saving treatment they need. But COVID-19 doesn’t mean that facilities aren’t safe. Programs dedicated to helping their clients stepped up to meet these new challenges.