As infection rates from the pandemic begin to decrease, you may wonder about the relationship between COVID and drug use. Did prolonged isolation decrease drug abuse rates, and are addiction rates increasing now that COVID is diminishing? Learn what the United Nations and the CDC say on the matter and how COVID affects those with substance use disorders. If you need help, Pines Recovery Life Detox offers drug addiction detox at our treatment center in South Florida.
Impact of COVID on Drug Use
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the lockdown impacted the end of the drug market supply chain. Many countries reported shortages of drugs such as opioids that led to increased prices and a decline in the purity of the final product. As a result, many users switched substances, such as heroin users moving to synthetic opioids, while others sought addiction treatment during the lockdown.
At a higher level, organized criminal groups responsible for production and trafficking had a more mixed response to the shutdown. The success of producing and distributing drugs largely depended on the severity of the shutdown.
What if I Get COVID While Abusing Drugs?
According to the CDC, those with substance use disorders are likely to get more severely ill if they contract COVID. For one thing, those who use drugs often have underlying medical conditions that put them in the high-risk group. Additionally, those with alcohol and drug use disorders may have a higher risk of fatality if they develop COVID.
Because those who use drugs often congregate together, they have an increased risk of developing and spreading COVID. Many people with drug use disorders also have health issues such as:
- Chronic lung disease
- Liver disease
- Immune system deficiencies
- Serious heart conditions
Thus, there is a positive correlation between COVID and drug use.
Increased Risk of Severe Illness or Death
There is a definite link between COVID and addiction. Some ways drug abuse can complicate COVID infection include:
- Opioids slow down breathing. Combined with the respiratory distress of COVID, these drugs could lead to a lack of oxygen in the blood and brain, increasing the likelihood of death.
- Cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants can cause heart attacks, stroke, lung disease, and seizures. When combined with the symptoms of COVID, all of these conditions put you at a greater risk for developing a severe illness.
- Smoking heroin, marijuana, crack, or other substances worsens chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory conditions brought on by COVID.
For these and other reasons, people with substance use disorders are at a much greater risk of severe illness and fatalities when they have COVID.
Drug Addiction Treatment at Pines Recovery Life Detox
If concerns over COVID and your overall health have you seriously considering giving up drugs and alcohol, maybe it’s time to get help.
At Pines Recovery Life Detox, we offer numerous detox programs that include:
- Benzo detox
- Heroin detox
- Cocaine detox
- Methadone detox
- Meth detox
- Alcohol detox
- Suboxone detox
COVID shutdowns led to forced isolation and boredom, two conditions that can trigger a relapse. Now that the pandemic has subsided somewhat, you can once again rely on community support for your sobriety. The staff at Pines Recovery Life Detox would love to be part of your healing circle of support.
Discover More About COVID and Addiction at Pines Recovery Life Detox
If you struggle under the combined weight of COVID and drug use, you might feel more pressure than ever to seek sobriety and clean living. Pines Recovery Life Detox can help you ease into a new life of hope and promise. It all starts with saying yes to an effective detox program that can rid your body of toxins and make you less vulnerable to COVID and other serious health risks.
Contact us today by calling 800.263.3869 or completing our online form to learn more about Pines Recovery Life Detox’s treatment programs for drug addiction in South Florida.
