Articles

When you combine substance use disorder and COVID-19, the result is nothing less than a lethal combination. People with substance use disorders are more likely to contract COVID-19. Beyond increasing the risk of contracting the virus, drug users often suffer long-term damage. Like other vulnerable populations, they also die from a coronavirus infection. The lethal combination of substance use disorder and COVID-19 gets even worse when opioids are in the picture.

As reported by the Indian Health Service, “The opioid crisis and COVID-19 pandemic are intersecting with each other and presenting unprecedented challenges for families and communities. Opioid use affects respiratory and pulmonary health which may make those with opioid use disorders more susceptible to COVID-19... Secondary impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including disruptions of treatment and recovery services, limited access to mental health services and peer support, disrupted routines, loss of work, and stress, may lead to increased opioid use and risk of relapse for those in recovery.”

Opioid Abuse, Substance Use Disorder and COVID-19

Given the compulsion to avoid withdrawal symptoms, opioid users are more willing to take greater risks. This insane risk-taking is more common among street drug users like heroin and illegal fentanyl. However, drug users are not worried about getting COVID-19. Rather, they worry about going into withdrawal and getting sick. The dopesickness they are desperately trying to avoid seems even worse than a deadly virus.

What people with opioid use disorder fail to realize is that their drug use very well may have compromised their health. Thus, if they do contract COVID-19, they are more likely to suffer adverse health reactions. Also, people with substance use disorder tend not to be in good health from the outset.

Reporting on the recent study, Dr. Nora Volkow, the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, explains the challenge of combining substance use disorder and COVID-19. Dr, Volkow says “The lungs and cardiovascular system are often compromised in people with SUD, which may partially explain their heightened susceptibility to COVID-19. Another contributing factor is the marginalization of people with addiction, which makes it harder for them to access health care services.”

Health Care, Substance Use Disorder and COVID-19

The recent study by NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) includes millions of non-identifiable electronic medical records from patients across the United States.Hence, over 73 million patients (about twice the population of California) made up the study population. Just over ten percent of those studied – 7.5 million – had been diagnosed with a SUD at some point in their lives. Although not comprehensive, the types of substance use disorderscataloged in the study aretobacco, alcohol, opioids, cannabis, and cocaine. By far, people with opioid use disorder were most at risk, and tend to be more marginalized.

Therefore, as Dr. Volkow points out, indigency and lack of health care services are typical of this population. Given such a deadly combination, there is no doubt that substance use disorder and COVID-19 ravage vulnerable populations. Too many people are dying, and the numbers in vulnerable populations continue to be high.

TTC Believes in Accessible Recovery for Everyone

Therefore, the perspective of Tarzana Treatment Centers is clear. Everyone deserves the chance to recover. Thus treatment service options for substance use disorder need to be more accessible. Even when the COVID-19 pandemic is under control, the danger remains. Indeed, the drug abuse epidemic was here before the pandemic and it will remain after the pandemic. Hence, more treatment availability is a national priority.