COVID-19 stormed the world in March 2020, forcing many countries to enforce a country-wide lockdown. Now, ten months later, the impact of this global pandemic is still being felt by those in addiction recovery. A rise in relapses has occurred since the start of the pandemic, and they are still happening all over the United States. While social isolation is a good idea to stop the spread of COVID-19, it can trigger those in recovery.
Access to Treatment
Addiction treatment is not always within reach for those that need it, even before the global pandemic. Today, more virtual treatment options are available for those struggling. However, this is not ideal for those that need to be pulled out of their daily environment into a sober, supportive, and encouraging environment. Many individuals may not be able to access virtual appointments due to weak or non-existent WiFi access at home. Some also do not have access to medications needed to aid in recovery alongside therapy and other activities. While some facilities are open, not everyone can travel to them or afford them given recent layoffs and economic constraints.
Social Isolation
In many parts of the US, states have mandated necessary quarantines, prompting people to stay home and stay safe. However, while this protects the general public, many are stuck at home with toxic families or even home alone. Unhealthy family environments can be extremely triggering for those struggling with mental health and addiction issues, often causing relapses or enabling the cycle of addiction. For those living alone in quarantine, the situation can also be triggering because it leaves them with copious amounts of free time. Free time is another common trigger for addiction because it leaves the person with nothing else to do other than use drugs and alcohol. This is why social isolation is harmful to those struggling with addiction or that are in recovery.
At Alta Loma Transformational Services, we understand the effects that COVID-19 has had on those struggling with active addiction and those in recovery. We have been monitoring the constantly-changing situation to ensure the utmost safety for our clients. This may be a time of uncertainty, but your recovery should not be. Together, we can develop a treatment plan for you that is safe and will set you up for success. If you or someone you know is struggling during this unprecedented time, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (866) 457-3843.
