All information utilized from this page came from The Recovery Village- Resources for Substance Abuse Treatment During Coronavirus (COVID-19). (2020). The Recovery Village. https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/resources/covid-19/
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus and is a form of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). If infected with COVID-19, a person will typically develop symptoms 5 days after being infected, but symptoms can appear as early as 2 days after infection or as late as 14 days after infection. If you suspect to have come into someone infected with COVID-19, quarantine for 14 days.
Emergency Symptoms:
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, 40% of United States adults reported struggling with mental health or substance use as well as 13% stating an increased amount of substance use. Alcohol sales in the United States have gone up 250% during the pandemic.
The chart above shows that 52% of individuals living in the United States attributed increased substance use to stress while 37% listed boredom and 33% selected anxiety/depression.
Among those living in the United States during the pandemic, 89% listed alcohol as a substance of choice.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 2,427 opioid overdoses deaths in Illinois in 2016 alone. Since the global pandemic, in Chicago opioid-related police calls have increased 75% while opioid-related deaths have increased 25%. In the state of Illinois, there has been a 62% increase in substance use. In those aged 18-24 there was 88% increase in substance use since the pandemic began.
These statistics indicate that many individuals could be turning to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism during these difficult times created by COVID-19. Using drugs or alcohol to cope with barriers can become a habit that risks becoming a substance use disorder. When a person uses drugs or alcohol in an attempt to self-medicate and cope with a mental health disorder, co-occurring substance use disorders can develop.
Practicing self-care is crucial to implementing healthy coping mechanisms for not just yourself, but also friends and family. Eat healthy, exercise, meditate, read a book, anything that can provide an outlet. Recovery and support groups have moved meetings to online platforms, and telehealth services as well!
