Overdoses and fatal overdoses are on the rise in Pennsylvania, from urban areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh to rural areas throughout the state. Just as in other states, Pennsylvania is seeing a rise in substance misuse and mental health issues, as the isolation, social disconnection, growing rates of unemployment, and issues surrounding anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide continue to be more prevalent.
Here at Innovo Detox in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania, we have seen the impact of COVID-19 related to addiction and co-occurring disorders since we opened our doors on March 16th. We have seen patients from all areas of Pennsylvania (as well as surrounding states like New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C.) come through our doors and report how their substance use or addiction has just increased exponentially during the coronavirus pandemic. Patients have come in and reported that their anxiety and depression has been just too much to handle in the fear and uncertainty of COVID-19; how they were normal drinkers but they have been drinking 3-4 or even 5x as much during COVID as they had previously; how that in order to cope, they’ve been self-medicating with pain killers or benzodiazepines. Many patients come in and report that they’ve been prescribed medication by their doctors because their mental health was suffering, only to realize weeks or months later that they’ve been misusing that medication in an effort to self-medicate their emotional state.
COVID-19 has seen many people that have not had an issue with drugs or alcohol previously to turn and try to find help for drinking or drug use that has gone off the rails. This is not uncommon. Primary care physicians and other medical professionals report how many of their patients are now having issues with drugs and alcohol- patients that have never reported having addiction or substance use issues in the past. Society is dealing with an unnerving situation and people are finding ways to cope. Unfortunately, many of those ways are becoming problematic. Drinking to ease stress is becoming daily day drinking. Xanax that may have been used as needed for panic attacks is now turning into regular use to cope with daily bouts of anxiety.
We understand what you are going through, and we are here to tell you that help is available. There is no shame in admitting that coping mechanisms are no longer working and are, in fact, becoming problematic. There should be no guilt and shame in that fact. Facing the worst global public health pandemic in a century is nothing that anyone was or is prepared for, and as human beings, we are all struggling to cope.
What is important in understanding is that seeking help is vital, instead of continuing down a dark path that could lead to hopeless addiction. Recognizing issues and being aware of a problem is the first step, allowing anyone that is suffering to take the second step and reach out for help.
Here at Innovo Detox in Pennsylvania, we are fully prepared to help you with any drug or alcohol issues you may be recognizing during COVID-19. We have implemented the latest health and safety measures to make sure that our patients feel secure, without compromising the highest quality care. Detox can be a scary step, and there is no need to be additionally worried about COVID-19. We want to ensure you that our facility is equipped to offer you the best possible, most comfortable detox experience needed to stop the destructive path of substance use disorder and addiction.
Pennsylvanians are suffering, and we are here to offer hope, healing, and the finest in detox, withdrawal management, and medical stabilization services to those in need. Whether you have suffered from addiction for a long time, or you are realizing issues with drugs and alcohols only recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our doors are open and we are here to help guide you on your journey of recovery, of hope, or health, and of healing.
If you or someone you know needs help for addiction or co-occurring disorders, please give us a call. Innovo Detox offers the latest in evidence-based medical, psychiatric, and clinical care for those in need of medical stabilization and detox in Pennsylvania and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic area. If we aren’t the best fit for you or a loved one, we will take the necessary time to work with you to find a detox, rehab, treatment center or provider that better fits your needs. Please give us a call at (717) 619-3260 or email our team at info@innovodetox.com. For more information on our company or services, please visit our website at www.innovodetox.com.