COVID-19 Pandemic Leads to Rise in Drug Overdoses

Years before the emergence of the novel coronavirus, another severe public health crisis was causing shock waves throughout our nation: the drug epidemic. Fatal drug overdoses, largely resulting from the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, have killed around half a million people nationwide in the last decade. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be magnifying this risk for the millions of Americans living with substance use disorders.

What’s Causing the Surge in Drug Overdoses?

When the pandemic arrived in the U.S., some authorities hoped it might lead to a decrease in overdoses by disrupting drug traffic as states and nations closed their borders and shut major cities down. Sadly, the opposite seems to be the case. Emerging evidence indicates illicit drug use is on the rise as the coronavirus rages on. Stress, economic devastation and isolation may be driving increased alcohol use and prescriptions for antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, which had seen a 34% spike by late May.

The interruption to their usual supply lines has caused people who rely on drugs such as opioids to seek new ways to obtain their next dose. They might also be more willing to take unfamiliar substances such as fentanyl to get high. More and more drug dealers are turning to fentanyl because it costs less and is easier to transport than heroin. However, unbeknownst to many opioid users, fentanyl is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, which substantially increases the risk of overdose. Ingesting as little as 0.25 milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal.

Isolation Is the “New Normal”

In many cases, shelter-in-place orders have left people alone in their homes. If they take drugs by themselves, nobody will be around to call an ambulance or save their life by administering the opioid overdose antidote naloxone – with tragic results.

Loneliness and anxiety are two significant triggers for drug use and relapse. Compounding the issue, many therapists and recovery groups have stopped offering in-person services to help slow the spread of the virus. People who feel sad, frightened and desperate might turn to drugs and alcohol when they believe they have no other options for getting better. The result is worsening addiction, and in some cases, death.

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed many weaknesses in America’s infrastructure – public education, our health care system and our social safety net, to name a few. The way we, as a nation, had been responding to our drug epidemic was insufficient even before the emergence of COVID-19. Now, how many more people are at risk for dangerous substance abuse because of these systemic vulnerabilities?

Putting Hope Within Your Reach

Don’t become part of the sad statistics surrounding drug abuse amid COVID-19. If you’re seeking a holistic alternative to 12-step addiction recovery, find your solution at Complete Harmony. We help pave the way to lifelong wellness and sobriety by empowering our clients to reach within themselves to improve their well-being. If the cycle of addiction has been weighing you down, rediscover your freedom and passion for life with our comprehensive one-, two- and three-month residential treatment plans. We’re looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Stay Connected: Avoiding Loneliness in Self-Quarantine

It’s been a little more than two months since a wave of school and business closures swept the nation and most people began sheltering in place. And even as some cities and states are relaxing COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, many of us are remaining homebound as much as possible to protect ourselves and prevent the spread of contagion within our communities.

Though experts currently don’t have an estimate for when we’ll be able to resume our pre-pandemic lifestyles, we could be a year – or more – away from returning to normal. What can you do if you’re craving human contact and struggling with a touch of “quarantine fatigue,” but don’t want to loosen the measures you’ve put in place to stay safe?

Organize Virtual Get-Togethers

Some people have become more relaxed about social distancing by inviting people over to their homes or meeting them in newly reopened restaurants. However, epidemiologists caution that there are still too many unknowns to make even small in-person gatherings safe. Why? Many people who get COVID-19 have mild to no symptoms. That means you could feel perfectly healthy and still infect others with the virus.

Instead of jeopardizing public health by taking these risks, invite friends and family members to virtual meetups. Don’t be afraid to get creative – for example, you can coordinate an online game night, or mimic the experience of going out to eat together by arranging a shared meal on video chat. Start a quarantine movie or book club. You don’t need to be in the same room to feel a satisfying sense of connection.

Find Online Workout Buddies

Since coronavirus spreads via airborne droplets, heavy breathing in a shared space will likely do you more harm than good. However, if you’re having trouble staying motivated to work out without the extra accountability of a friend or two, the need for social distancing has probably affected your fitness routine. Many gyms and fitness studios are offering free streaming classes to create camaraderie, or you can agree on a time to meet up with real-life friends for an online sweat session.

Explore Opportunities for Growth

Following an effective routine can provide a much-needed sense of normalcy and control amid uncertain circumstances. However, if your days are starting to run together, begin to set aside time and space for things you want to accomplish. Perhaps there are new skills or hobbies you want to cultivate, or you thrive on intellectual challenges such as learning to code.

Intentionally making room for growth will give you something rewarding to look forward to and break up the monotony of spending every day at home. Just remember, if you’re not feeling up to your chosen pursuit every day, it’s OK to take mental health breaks whenever you need to.

Volunteer

Nonprofits still need willing and able volunteers, even during this significant crisis. Though you might not want to break quarantine to volunteer in person, you can still give back to others through opportunities such as manning a crisis hotline, tutoring underprivileged students online or donating extra money or household goods you may have.

Seek Help When You Need It

During quarantine, many of us have been struggling with a heightened sense of anxiety, but living in a constant crisis mode can take its toll on your mental, physical and spiritual well-being. At Complete Harmony, our caring recovery advisors are here to answer any of your questions about holistic addiction treatment and getting on a healthy track. Connect with us today.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Relationships in Coronavirus Quarantine

Forced isolation with the same people for weeks on end has turned some households into a pressure cooker. Whether you live with housemates or family members, you may find minor annoyances magnified into a source of significant strife. How can you preserve your relationships and your mental well-being and emerge on the other side of COVID-19 quarantine stronger than ever?

Recognize Signs of Stress

It’s understandable if you’re finding your nerves a bit frayed lately. We are all living through a time of unparalleled anxiety, with no end in sight. If you feel yourself nearing a breaking point, stop and take a deep breath before you lash out at someone and say something hurtful you’ll later regret. Check in with your body’s cues – Is your heart rate elevated? Are you holding excess tension in any muscle groups? – and keep one or more relaxation techniques in your back pocket to turn to.

Clear the Air

Quarantine quarrels can quickly spiral out of control, leaving everyone involved feeling tense and on edge. It may be tempting to avoid difficult conversations to maintain harmony within your household, but shying away from issues is a surefire recipe for conflict down the road. If you’re feeling frustrated by something, verbalize it. Try to use “I” phrasing instead of “you” phrasing, so the other person doesn’t feel attacked. For example, you could say something like, “I feel like I’ve been doing more than my fair share of the housework lately, and it’s been frustrating.”

Seek Help When You Need It

If you’re overwhelmed and having trouble regulating your emotions, consider therapy to unpack your feelings and discover new, healthy coping strategies. In these challenging circumstances, there are many telehealth options such as online therapy to explore. Evidence suggests this option can be just as effective as seeing a counselor face to face, and it’s also safe because you won’t have to leave your home.

Protect Your Time and Space

Even the most outgoing people can benefit from having occasional time to be alone and focus on their thoughts. However, when you’re quarantined in a finite amount of space, you might start to feel like you never have a moment to yourself. You can combat this by creating boundaries, and encouraging housemates to do the same. For instance, you can set designated quiet times every day where everyone agrees to practice separate pursuits such as reading, meditating or napping. Or, choose how to divide rooms in your living space. Grant that a closed door automatically means “do not disturb,” or, if you lack a door, you can tack up a blanket or a bedsheet to make a barrier.

Cutting-Edge, Client-Centered Treatment

Even in a global pandemic, people struggling with substance misuse and co-occurring mental health disorders need to know there are safe places where they can seek help in a non-judgmental setting. At Complete Harmony, we are still focused on our mission of providing an alternative to traditional 12-step addiction recovery with a range of holistic options. Take the first step on your healing journey and contact us today.

Stories of Human Kindness During COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has caused unprecedented levels of worldwide stress and anxiety. However, at a time when it feels like all the headlines are negative, there is a bright spot in the simple acts of kindness everyday people and businesses are sharing. Difficult times often reveal the best in humanity.

Right now, a little love and understanding goes a long way. Here’s a small sampling of the ways neighbors have stepped up to care for each other and practice kindness during this challenging time.

Venues Worldwide Are Hosting Virtual Tours

If you’re like many who have had to postpone travel plans due to the pandemic, you can still visit many world-class attractions, including the Louvre and the Smithsonian, from the comfort of your couch. Though all these facilities are closed for the time being, you can skip the crowds and explore priceless art and artifacts with online tours.

New York Running Clubs Are Doing Errands for Their Homebound Neighbors

New York City’s small army of running enthusiasts has found a way to maintain their fitness levels while helping those who are observing self-quarantine. Members of running clubs have used their fleet feet and stepped up to go to pharmacies, grocery stores and other businesses to pick up essential supplies.

Citizens Are Spontaneously Celebrating Health Care Workers

In cities around the world, quarantined people have come together to hold rounds of applause for doctors, nurses and first responders from their balconies, porches and rooftops.

Landlords Are Forgiving Rent

Government restrictions on social distancing have forced many people into unexpected unemployment. Due to this, many understanding landlords are giving their tenants a break when they can’t afford to make their rent payments.

People Are Finding Ways to Support Local Businesses

Depending on where you live, many “non-essential” local businesses such as hair salons have likely had to close. Loyal customers are finding ways to keep these beloved establishments afloat during this time of crisis by buying gift cards to use later or sending money directly to the owner.

Patrons Are Leaving Larger Tips

With so many restaurants switching to takeout and delivery services only, it has become challenging for many servers and delivery drivers to make ends meet. Understanding this scenario, some customers have started tipping these service providers more generously.

Finding the Light in the Coronavirus Crisis

It’s easy to find examples of how the current crisis has brought out the worst in people. However, bad times often see strangers rising to the challenge to help their neighbors.

Let these simple acts of kindness inspire you during this challenging time, when so many are struggling to find their sense of optimism and gratitude. If you are fortunate enough to be healthy during this epidemic, look for ways to step forward and help where you can. You may find new connections in your community that last long after medical research has identified a cure for coronavirus.

Don’t let fears about COVID-19 hold you back from the proven addiction treatment you deserve. Contact us for a confidential consultation with our recovery advisors.

Feeling Overwhelmed? How to Stay Positive During the Coronavirus Outbreak

When you’re in addiction recovery, maintaining a positive attitude is essential. However, with the worldwide spread of the COVID-19 crisis, you might be feeling that goal slipping out of your reach somewhat. How can you keep your upbeat attitude when it seems like all the news lately has been negative, if not downright frightening? Here are some tips.

1. Limit Your Exposure to the News

It may seem like you’re being more responsible by staying informed and checking in with the day’s headlines frequently, but doing so is a surefire way to give you information overload. Since bad news travels faster than good news, especially online, refreshing your feed multiple times a day will create digital burnout and leave you feeling mentally exhausted. Instead, impose limits on when you allow yourself to look at social media or watch the news on TV. Choose one or two trusted outlets, and only check them during your allotted time slots.

2. Follow Negative Information With Something Cheery

As we learned from Mary Poppins, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.” In other words, once you’ve caught up on the latest information about the spread of coronavirus, engage with something lighthearted to boost your mood, such as compilation videos of adorable baby animals.

3. Turn off the Alerts on Your Devices

If you have the settings on your phone, tablet or computer set to ping whenever there’s breaking news, try silencing your devices or disabling the alerts altogether. Many people find the sounds or vibrations coming from their phone nearly impossible to ignore, and will put everything aside to see what they’re about. To help you learn to focus more of your attention on individual tasks, disregard these stressful intrusions. The information will still be there for you when you’re ready to pick up your device again, and you’ll be amazed by how much better you feel when you’re not checking those notifications every few minutes.

4. Take Mental Health Breaks

Evidence increasingly suggests that taking regular mental health breaks can help improve your concentration and allow you to feel more present and engaged in your life. If your mind has been on overdrive lately due to the barrage of information about coronavirus, recognize that you might be feeling burned out, and take a break to de-stress. Whether that comes in the form of a brief meditation, a walk around the block or a series of yoga poses, whatever helps you clear your mind can benefit you.

5. Call a Friend or Family Member

In this time of self-quarantine, we probably all have people we haven’t seen for a few weeks. If you’re holed up at home and feeling lonely, reach out to say hello and see how everyone has been doing. They probably need a pick-me-up just as much as you do, and will appreciate your thoughtfulness. Meanwhile, it’s in your best interest to avoid the relapse trigger of loneliness.

Begin Your Recovery Journey at Complete Harmony

Are you looking for a holistic alternative to traditional drug and alcohol treatment programs? Reach out to us today for a confidential conversation with our admissions advisors.