As many have been instructed to remain isolated in our homes for the foreseeable future, some Missourians have to deal with recovering from substance addictions on top of the additional panic over the COVID-19 pandemic.
A news release says American Addiction Centers, the leading provider of substance abuse resources, has warned how isolation and therefore loneliness could trigger a surge in relapses for those in recovery. Experts say that for people who regularly drink alcohol or partake in drug use as a social activity, being unable to do so may also bring to light underlying substance addiction problems, which is a real challenge to face while self-isolating.
Living in lockdown in Missouri is temporarily the norm, and residents have gone from seeing dozens of others daily, to just a handful. As a result, experts are concerned that right now our otherwise excusable habits – a glass of wine at lunchtime, a couple of Martinis before dinner, followed by a fine bottle of red – might conceal an undiagnosed dependency, even addiction.
One of the most common symptoms of people who suffer with a drinking problem is denial; they simply refuse to accept they have a dependency, and this can be the reason they don’t seek proper treatment. Other symptoms include rationalizing the amount of alcohol they consume; blaming their consumption on others; and defensiveness or dismissiveness.
The other issue at stake during lockdown is that self-isolation and social distancing may lead those in recovery (of both alcohol and drugs) to relapse. Now that the days and weeks seem endless, there is more temptation for them to turn back to their former crutches to try and cope with boredom, solitude, fear and panic.
In the U.S., many liquor stores remain open during self-isolation, however, when it comes to drug dependencies, withdrawal symptoms may be more evident during this time as dealers have less access to potential customers. This means a majority of drug users – unless they have stockpiled the substance – will go without. But there is a ray of hope, according to an expert: “A lack of availability can help uncover a harsh reality and optimistically, trigger the individual to reach out for help.”
Often, those who are unknowingly dependent on alcohol or drugs – or those who are not ready to admit it – do not have an accurate picture of the amount they consume. Drinking or doing drugs on a regular basis causes the body to become tolerant to the substance. After a while, feeling accomplished with a certain amount of the substance (perhaps two beers or a few puffs of a joint), requires more to reach, and this only escalates as time goes by. Your body will eventually become acclimated to a particular amount of substance and if you stop consuming it, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. Depending on how much of the substance your body is dependent on, decreasing your use can result in a host of symptoms, which are incredibly difficult to overcome, such as anxiety, nausea, tremors, seizures and in extreme cases, death.
But help is at hand, whether you’re new to the path of recovery or have had your route temporarily disrupted.
American Addiction Centers has provided a wealth of information on its site for Missourians who are suffering withdrawal symptoms, or who are concerned about relapse:
Advice on addiction, isolation, and loneliness <https://hellocherrydigital.com/l/oMe763oD0YhPhpLLJHTE6v5A/aKt8892rEKl4kDRG48x4ipbQ/Vzy76B4892tlrNdDOtwSKucA>
Keeping sobriety during a pandemic <https://hellocherrydigital.com/l/oMe763oD0YhPhpLLJHTE6v5A/Gxej6F1ws6yNROd3qfecHw/Vzy76B4892tlrNdDOtwSKucA>
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and alcoholism <https://hellocherrydigital.com/l/oMe763oD0YhPhpLLJHTE6v5A/38reeewTeviRs9lsxpw1892g/Vzy76B4892tlrNdDOtwSKucA>
What to do during COVID-19 Isolation <https://hellocherrydigital.com/l/oMe763oD0YhPhpLLJHTE6v5A/d6CABjnQjxRMrY763vtY2JDg/Vzy76B4892tlrNdDOtwSKucA>
Overcoming thoughts of relapse during social distancing and isolation <https://hellocherrydigital.com/l/oMe763oD0YhPhpLLJHTE6v5A/YhUQpyE1BGwkTBr0ufbcAw/Vzy76B4892tlrNdDOtwSKucA>