The Increase In Addictions During Confinement: Causes, And What To Do
There is still much to know about how, as a society, it has affected us and will continue to affect us. the coronavirus crisis
The truth is that it was only relatively recently that in Western countries we did not even contemplate the possibility of a pandemic shaking our health system and our economy as it has. However, there are precedents such as the SARS epidemic of 2003, which allow us to get a rough idea about the implications of a health problem of these characteristics and what is happening in many families because of the situation in which we find ourselves.
In this article we are going to focus on one of the most worrying aspects regarding the COVID-19 crisis and the confinement measures adopted to stop it: the increase in addiction cases, and greater exposure to health problems due to drug use
5 reasons why the pandemic increases the risk of addictions
Those professionals who are dedicated to the treatment of addictions see the coronavirus crisis as a challenge to which we adapt. The context is complicated, but the need to offer support to those suffering from addictions is especially a priority at this time, as we will see.
These are the main factors that make the coronavirus crisis a favorable context for addictions to increase their power of harmful influence among the population.
The social alarm caused by the news of the spread of the virus and by the forecasts of economic crisis, added to the fact that for many people it is essential to work more to compensate for losses or to care for all the people who need it (in the case , for example, of health professionals) give rise to a context in which the accumulation of stress is much more frequent than before.
On the other hand, it is known that When stress is added to social isolation, addictions also become more frequent In the case of the COVID-19 crisis, social distancing and quarantine measures have taken isolation to an extreme.
2. Work or family crisis situations
The coronavirus pandemic is associated with many types of tragic events that thousands of people have been forced to go through: loss of jobs, deaths of family members, need to modify future plans in anticipation of a context of economic crisis, etc.
3. Boredom
Having spent months with a social life marked by the lack of face-to-face moments leads many people to boredom, an experience that, if prolonged without finding habits linked to incentives or exciting projects, increases the risk of falling into addictions.
And starting a dependent relationship with a drug, with gambling or with a video game, for example, is something relatively easy and offers a feeling of almost instantaneous satisfaction (at least at the beginning); Therefore, it turns out a tempting option for those who feel frustrated by not knowing how to spend their free time
Addictions are a type of health disorder that overlaps a lot with almost all psychological disorders in general, reinforcing each other Thus, as confinement measures and the pandemic influence greater vulnerability to the development of mental problems, these, in turn, increase the risk of developing one or more addictions.
5. Greater risk of adulterated drugs
This aspect does not increase the risk of falling into addictions, but it does have an impact on its level of danger, which is already high in normal situations.
The transportation restrictions that occurred due to prevention measures against infections between countries have given rise to a supply problem for drug trafficking mafias. This gives rise to these substances being adulterated , mixing them with harmful or directly toxic substances, in order to maintain the level of income. Of course, it is consumers who pay the most for the consequences of this.
Are you looking for professional support to overcome addictions?
In Recal Foundation We specialize in the treatment of addictions, a health field in which we have been working for more than 15 years. Our professionals can care for anyone with addictive problems (related or not to substance use) both in specific therapy sessions and in our fully equipped residential module. You can find us in Madrid, Majadahonda and Pozuelo de Alarcón, and on this page you will find our contact information.
