Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation was largely focused on another set of crises – the opioid epidemic and high rates of drug and alcohol addiction. Although the media is otherwise occupied, the largely invisible struggle of addiction has not gone away. In fact, coronavirus may be making it worse.
With added stress, anxiety, fear, and depression, many people may turn to drugs and alcohol, which the World Health Organization (WHO) calls “an unhelpful coping strategy.” Those battling addiction will likely be hit the hardest. In light of the social isolation necessitated by the COVID-19 crisis, many people may reach rock bottom, or worse, succumb to their illness.
Even those who have been in recovery for years may find themselves more susceptible to relapse during this difficult and unprecedented time.
As a 10-years sober drug interventionist puts it:
“The disease of alcoholism and addiction thrives on isolation. Now we’re kind of being forced to isolate in a lot of ways, so that’s not a good mixture.”
Help Is Still Available
Although we are all facing a dark time, there is no excuse for you to give up on yourselves or your loved ones. Addiction is a disease, and there is a cure. For many, a simple phone call can be the “game-changer” they need to seek help and get on the right track.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, anyone who was facing addiction could walk into an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting or another 12-step gathering in community centers and church basements across the country. This may not be possible right now, but the highly resilient recovery community has moved online.
You can find AA meetings, recovery groups, and other resources on venues like Skype, Zoom, and Google Hangouts.
Further, drug and alcohol treatment centers like Mount Sinai are still open for inpatient care and outpatient care is widely available through telehealth services.
Get The Treatment You Need Today
If you’re just starting your recovery journey, an inpatient drug and alcohol treatment program may be the best place to begin. The Mount Sinai Wellness Center remains open during the COVID-19 crisis, and we have implemented countless precautions to keep our clients safe.
Our comfortable, private facilities will allow you to heal in a stress-free environment surrounded by 43 acres of beautiful, untamed wilderness. While you recover with us, you will have access to some of the best physicians and clinicians in the United States. You will also enjoy 3 chef-prepared meals a day, participate in transformative daily therapy sessions, and enrich your life with holistic wellness activities.
If you are ready to leave the stress of the outside world behind and focus on your sobriety journey, call us at (800) 353-4673 or contact our admissions professionals online.
We can get through this dark and difficult time – we just have to do it together.
Please note: Mount Sinai is following the most recent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation, and you should always consult these resources for the most accurate and up-to-date information before making decisions about your health.
