www.CHESTERCMS.org
Substance Use Disorders During the Pandemic; Getting Help in Chester County BY CHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES
O
ver the past two years, Chester County, just like the rest of the world, has faced ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no question that these challenges have created or increased feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, stress, and loneliness for everyone. In addition to navigating the pandemic and accompanying challenges, Chester County, much like the rest of the country, continues to address another public health crisis, substance use disorder (SUD); most recently accentuated by the opioid epidemic. While opioids have greatly contributed to the SUD crisis, it is important to recognize the crisis involves all substances, including alcohol. When we consider how people deal with increased feelings of anxiety, stress, uncertainty and loneliness, not all coping mechanisms are healthy, such as using substances, and could result in substance use disorder. Over the course of the pandemic, we have seen increased rates of alcohol consumption, among other substances, and subsequent related problems. In addition to those who developed a substance use disorder from challenges associated with the pandemic, there are individuals who had a substance use problem before the pandemic and will continue to have those problems unless treatment services are accessed. In some ways, those problems may be worse due to sudden, reduced access to a substance of choice, and additional stress, isolation, loneliness. For those in recovery from a SUD, the pandemic presented a significant challenge with a change in the way recovery supports were available – with many no longer available in person or limited in capacity. The recovery community thrives from connection and relationships, which has been challenged during the pandemic. However, our community is resilient and adapted with alternative formats such as virtual recovery supports.
18 CHESTER COUNT Y Medicine | WINTER 2022
