It comes as no surprise that mental health and substance abuse do go together. However, this issue was magnified with the coronavirus pandemic. It got to the point where people had to stay home as a way to reduce the transmission.
The lack of social connection and feeling shut in may have exacerbated pre-existing mental disorders. It also even developed new cases during the time period between 2020 and the present day. The need for addiction and mental health services are now more than ever.
If you live in Las Vegas or the surrounding area, a detox center like this one can be your best option in getting the help you need. Let’s talk more about the statistics that we’ll want to discuss further discussing mental health and substance abuse.
Drug use and the pandemic
Drug use of itself had increased during the pandemic. One of the reasons was people were looking for something to do and boredom had increased. Especially when they were faced with the situation of having to stay home.
Whether they had developed a mental illness beforehand or not, they used drugs as a coping mechanism. Not to be outdone, this also coincided with the opioid epidemic that has already claimed the lives of thousands of people over the course of a decade.
Some people have no way to relieve their stress that is brought on from the pandemic. Drugs and alcohol were considered to be the coping mechanisms of choice as opposed to therapy or other alternative methods. If they are by themselves, they are likely to die from a drug overdose because no one else will be around to dial 911 or even administer Narcan.
Those who are living alone are more at risk to die from a drug overdose. Not only that, with no one in their immediate vicinity like family members or a roommate, they may feel the impact of having no one to talk to.
This can even be the worst position to be in when you need someone to talk to due to a mental disorder or dealing with personal trauma. However, the use of currently existing technology may be useful in a time when people may find themselves isolated.
Telemedicine makes help more accessible
Even though drug detox will need in-person treatment, the mental counseling aspect can be accessible via telemedicine. With many people using telecommunication tools such as Zoom, people are talking to certified and licensed mental health professionals if and when they need to.
The increased availability is making things easier and will stay that way even after the pandemic. Many medical and mental health facilities will offer telemedicine services via their website. As long as you have access to the Internet and a compatible device, you will be able to get the access and help you need.
Most websites will have services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. So you won’t have to worry about long waits or having to deal with any appointments that will occur the next day due to closure. No one should have to wait for mental health services even when they need it at what they believe is the best time (when they are feeling their worst).
The effect it has on young adults
One age group where mental health issues and substance abuse witnessed a rise were in young people ranging from ages 18-40. During the pandemic, close to three-quarters of those among Generation Z had reported mental health issues.
At least 60 percent of Millennials reported mental health issues while 35 percent of Gen X and 22 percent of Boomers have done the same. However, Millennials seem to be suffering the greatest from this as they witnessed a six percent increase since the pandemic began.
Of the 60 percent of Millenials, 10 percent of them already had pre-existing mental health issues before the pandemic. In the last two years, that number rose to 16 percent. These also include those who were in the workforce and have reported having poor productivity due to their mental health issues.
As such, mental health issues serve as a foundation for someone who may find drug addiction as their ‘output’ for coping with the personal trauma and other events that may have contributed to their mental illness. What is alarming is that Generation Z has the highest number of reports.
With teenagers and young adults being the most vulnerable to drug addiction, the number of reported cases and even overdose deaths may rise as a result. That is why rehab and detox centers need to prepare for the influx of individuals looking to seek help.
With the restrictions mostly lifted, some other medical and mental health facilities may still have some in place. For this reason, the accessibility and allowing people the help they need still remains questionable.
Even with people being turned away from facilities where they need in-person treatment, hope may not be lost. They can get access to the best mental health care they can find. Telemedicine expands access.
Plus, the room for mental health treatment may be used for the most severe cases. But no one should be turned away from the services they need regardless. If they are dealing with a lower level or late stage addiction, help must be provided to someone.
Final Thoughts
Mental health issues and substance abuse have risen during the pandemic. It happened at a time when accessibility to therapeutic services were restricted. With things shifting back to pre-pandemic protocols, there are some changes that are staying in place.
Mental health care access is expanding. However, there is still the need to ensure that one person needs in-person care be it for their mental issues or to battle their drug addiction. Regardless, no one should have to be turned away.
Mental health and drug detox facilities must be prepared for what could be a large number of people in need for the assistance to better themselves and live fulfilling lives.
Read more:
Poor Mental Health And Substance Abuse Was On The Rise During The Coronavirus Pandemic