Opioid Abuse Rises During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Name: Brookdale Recovery
Address: 2455 Back Mountain Rd, Scotrun, Pennsylvania, 18355, USA
Telephone: 1 (855) 575-1292

Opioid Abuse Rises During the COVID-19 Pandemic

01/05/2022COVID-19 & Addiction Prescription Drug Abuse

The rise of COVID-19 cases all over the world has led to a significant rise in the use of opioid abuse in the U.S. This phenomenon is alarming, yet not surprising. After all, the ongoing pandemic has negatively affected the financial, mental, and emotional aspects of the lives of many people. It’s no wonder that some people are tempted to turn to substance abuse to cope with the stress and anxiety they are experiencing as the coronavirus continues to spread on a global scale.

Read to find out what the opioid abuse statistics are during the pandemic. Find out what steps opioid users should take to overcome dependence and addiction to opioids.

What Are the Opioid Abuse Statistics During the Pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated opioid abuse in the nation. It has also resulted in more drug overdose deaths in the country.

More Opioid Users

The abuse of opioids and stimulants is growing in the U.S. as the pandemic progresses. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), 13% of the population are beginning to use or are increasing the use of substances as a way to deal with emotional stress.

There was an 18% rise in overdoses all over the country in 2019. Last 2020, over 40 U.S. states have experienced opioid-related deaths among individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). Ironically, people with SUD are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

More Opioid Overdose Deaths

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the frequency of deaths related to drug overdose has grown almost 5% from 2018 to 2019. More than 70% of the 70,630 deaths in 2019 were linked to opioid misuse. There was a 6% overall increase in opioid-related deaths, while synthetic opioid-involved death rates grew more than 15%.

Which Strategies Can Help Reduce Opioid Abuse for the U.S. Population?

There are several strategies that the U.S. government and population should apply to minimize the number of opioid abuse cases. The American Medical Association (AMA) recommends that the nation reduce the barriers to medications that can be used to treat SUD. It also suggests that there should be wider access to harm reduction services.

Other practical recommendations of AMA include maximizing the existing best practices, developing a standardized reporting system for key metrics on drug use in the country, and requiring health insurance programs to eliminate arbitrary restrictions for patients with pain.

How Can Individuals Overcome Opioid Abuse During This Pandemic?

While the end of the COVID-19 is not yet in sight, the end of opioid abuse in the lives of individuals and families could be attainable even as the pandemic continues.

If you or your loved one wish to overcome opioid dependence and addiction, feel free to connect with Brookdale Premier Addiction Recovery. As a luxury drug and alcohol rehab center in Pennsylvania, we can provide you with effective medically managed detox and residential treatment programs.

There’s no need to worry about the expenses, since your insurance may cover most costs associated with treatment at Brookdale. Call us at 1 (855) 575-1292 today to get started on the road to recovery from opioid abuse.

Sources:

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/03/substance-use-pandemic.

https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/epidemic.html.

https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/issue-brief-increases-in-opioid-related-overdose.pdf.