Overdose Deaths Soar in the Midst of a Pandemic

In the Midst of a Pandemic, Soaring Overdose Deaths are Often Overlooked.

Even while overdose deaths are alarming, 2020 has been the year of the pandemic.  Daily reports have posted ever-increasing numbers of cases of Covid-19, as well as the constantly rising number of deaths.  Attention to the pandemic has overshadowed the steadily rising death toll from addiction.

According to an October 2020 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network, “An estimated 19,416 individuals died of a drug overdose in the United States in the first 3 months of 2020 compared with 16,682 in the same 3-month period in 2019.”  If the trajectory of drug overdose deaths continues at its current rate, the United States would have the most overdose deaths ever recorded in a calendar year.

The state of Minnesota reported a statewide increase of 31% more overdose deaths in the first half of 2020 as compared to the same in 2019.  Synthetic opioids were reported as a major factor with 80% of opioid-related deaths involving synthetic opioids.

Addiction deaths, although not seen as newsworthy as the COVID-19 pandemic, have been exacerbated by the pandemic.  Stressors, some of which are related to the pandemic, such as isolation, financial hardships, anxiety, and depression have often prevented people from seeking drug or alcohol treatment.  Sometimes the decision to not seek treatment has deadly results.

Those same factors also result in higher-than-normal rates of relapse as it is harder for those in recovery to have the camaraderie and support of in-person meetings with cohorts.  As the pandemic has continued for much longer than most people anticipated, issues of depression, anxiety, and overall stress have increased, and the need to self-medicate those feelings often leads to relapse.

Relapse can result in unintentional overdose and death as those in recovery often believe they can use an amount equal to what they were using before they stopped using.  That misconception can be deadly since their body is no longer used to that amount of substance.

Many people have avoided starting alcohol or drug treatment during the pandemic.

As COVID-19 infection rates have soared, they have been afraid of going into a residential treatment program; however, a recovery program can be not only life-changing but lifesaving.

It is important that treatment programs address the issues of the pandemic and work to keep both program participants and their entire staff safe with ongoing tests for COVID-19 and excellent sanitation and social distancing guidelines.

Gulf Breeze Recovery strives to offer the best and most comprehensive alcohol treatment and drug treatment options in the country, with plans tailored to fit individual needs.  The professional and medical staff at Gulf Breeze Recovery is available today to answer your questions, address your concerns and meet your needs for high-quality substance abuse treatment.

As a non-12-step drug rehab center, Gulf Breeze Recovery has a history of using a holistic approach to drug and/or alcohol treatment, recognizing that recovery is more than just being substance-free.  It is helping people to maintain long term sobriety as they regain their well-being and rebuild their lives.

The goal of Gulf Breeze Recovery is to allow you to live your life while changing your life.

If you or someone you care about, has an ongoing history of alcohol or substance use and/or relapse, contact Gulf Breeze Recovery or call: (855) 433-4480 to speak to an addiction expert to learn more about their residential program, out-patient program, and intensive out-patient program, and which of these can best fit your individual needs.  These programs have helped many people overcome their addiction and embrace their new happy, healthy, substance-free lifestyle.

We help people not just to survive, but to THRIVE!

Sources:
jamanetwork.com  October 20, 2020
health.state.mn.us  Minnesota Department of Health