COVID and addiction -- the unseen connection

Editor’s Note — This article is part of the monthly health related articles being produced by the Leamington Area Family Health Team. This month’s article was written by Jim Waldon, MSW.

In the past year, much has been written and communicated about the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the population.

Pressures have ranged from financial, family, health, illness, social functioning, recreational, to name a few.

The pandemic has also served to highlight the struggles many of us face related to our mental health and addiction.

Area social workers have noted specifically, two populations of people who, as a result of the pandemic, have had their feelings of well-being negatively affected.

The first group is people who were struggling with addictions prior to the pandemic. The second group, are those who have developed an addiction during the crisis of the past 12 months.

Counsellors working in the addictions field confirm that stress and anxiety are the number one contributors to relapse for anyone in recovery from an addiction.

Currently, the number of people experiencing increased stress and anxiety has never been greater, as many of us worry about ways COVID-19 is affecting ourselves and our families. This dramatic increase in stress and anxiety has been a significant contributing factor in many relapses into substance use.

Local media reported six opioid overdoses between January 18 and 20, 2021. This was a dramatic increase, compared to the same timeframe last year.

Substance use can often appear very attractive to people who are looking for a coping tool that will assist to more effectively manage COVID-19 pressures. However, the consequence of using substances long term to cope with stressors, is this behaviour can lead to an addiction.

It is essential to find healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety before they become overwhelming. Learn mentally healthy ways to cope with your anxiety when spikes occur.

Two of the most effective and safe ways to manage and cope with mental health challenges, are exercise and social support.

Incorporating exercise — especially walking — into your daily routine can be useful to clear the mind while also offering the opportunity to stay connected (at a safe distance) to the support people in your life.

If you, or anybody in your life, is experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis, please call the Community Crisis Line at 519-973-4435.