Overdose and overdose deaths as a result of opioid abuse during the pandemic

Another cause to an increase in drug abuse is the lack of other things to turn to during social isolation. Considering social isolation prevents people from having access to the gym or other activities, participating in those activities may be more difficult to do. Leading people to turn to more readily available things in their home like their medicine or alcohol cabinet.

Other causes to induced drug abuse during the pandemic

According to ODMAP an 18% increase in overdoses were seen in the early months of the pandemic. During social isolation people become more stressed and make impractical decisions which lead them to increasing alcohol consumption and drug intake.

Wayne State University

The increase in behavioral health issues as a result of social isolation has led to an increase in opioid abuse. According to the CDC 13% of Americans reported beginning or increasing substance use to cope with the distress brought by the pandemic. 

Substance abuse as a risk factor of social isolation

-Nirmita Panchal, R. K., & 2021, F. (2021, February 10). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/
-“The Double Pandemic Of Social Isolation And COVID-19: Cross-Sector Policy Must Address Both, " Health Affairs Blog, June 22, 2020.
DOI: 10.1377/hblog20200609.53823
-Sacks, C. A., Institute, A. A., Others, D. S., T. T. Shimabukuro and Others, F. P. Polack and Others, & R. W. Frenck and Others. (2020, June 04). Reconsidering Risks of Gun Ownership and Suicide in Unprecedented Times: NEJM. Retrieved from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2007658?af=R&rss=currentIssue
-Nirmita Panchal, R. K., & 2021, F. (2021, April 14). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/
-Domestic Violence Increased in the US by 8.1% During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/domestic-violence-covid-19-increase-us-ncccj-study/
-https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11150-020-09526-7
-https://fox17.com/news/local/feeling-the-pressures-of-the-pandemic-suicide-hotlines-see-800-percent-spike-in-calls
-https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm
-https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/03/substance-use-pandemic
-https://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/covid-19-pandemic-sparks-surge-in-overdose-deaths-this-year

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