Coronavirus and addiction: For people with recovery, self-isolation can be harmful.

For anyone struggling with addiction, fellowship is a big part of the recovery process. Unfortunately, as the prevalence of coronavirus and social disturbance has become the norm, the process has become more challenging.

This usually means physical contact with others in recovery. Members in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program are encouraged to attend several meetings each week, during which time they are invited to share their experiences and interact with others in person.

However, since the outbreak began, such meetings took place in a very short period of time, leaving people without immediate support.

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Sponsored by AA in Toronto, Sara saw it for the first time. Global News has agreed to use a pseudonym to protect its identity.

“AA meetings are an important part of this program, especially for newcomers who are still building support systems among their peers [and they're] peers,” he said.

First, it started with a low physical touch. Now, in-person meetings are canceled.

“About two weeks ago, most groups closed their hands and held hands after the meeting,” Sara said. “Last week, most meetings decided to close at this point.”

As a sponsor, Sara fears that the absence of a meeting will call newcomers at a critical time in their recovery process.

“I’m concerned … especially [about] those who are still out to drink [or] who are on their way to their first AA meeting, because we will not be physically there in the traditional way,” he said.

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This is especially worrisome because researchers typically target a substance abuse spike in emergency situations such as the COVID-19 epidemic.

“[The increase] is consistent with any kind of emergency or disaster — more natural disasters such as fire, storm, or flooding, as well as people surviving the shipwreck,” said Toronto’s Associate Professor Michael Chaton. Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Redditor’s Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

“It’s often the case that people face substance abuse … basically things that are readily available, such as alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription drugs.”

Substance abuse during a crisis
Addiction affects about 21 percent of Canadians at one point in their life, and it can cause damage to the brain, body, and more.

CAMH defines addiction as the presence of four things: redness regardless of outcome, controlling the amount or frequency of use, compulsion to use, and use.

Unfortunately, Chiton said, a situation such as coronavirus outbreak can exacerbate these conditions.

“People are leaning toward substance to combat stress and trauma,” Chaton said.

“One of the real incentives is that it is not a very good coping mechanism. [The substance] can actually exacerbate some of the effects.”

For example, although drugs and alcohol can help you feel calm in the short run, they can actually increase your fears and anxiety in the long run.

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“These substances provide a source of instant control. A drink or smoke can make you feel better in an instant,” Chaton said.

“However, in the long run, as you become accustomed, matter actually drives this cycle of stress and strain rather than the external environment.”

If you feel better after consuming cigarettes, the reason is that you are managing the withdrawal of nicotine from your body — not the impact of the disaster that previously caused stress.

There is little information about the effects of the epidemic from substance abuse, Chaton said, particularly in the era of social media where we are “constantly connected to the source of information.”

However, there are data on significant catastrophic effects, such as 9/11.

The survey of 20 found that ten percent of New York participants reported smoking, and about 25 percent of respondents consumed more alcohol in the days following the terrorist attacks. About three percent of people reported an increase in cannabis use.

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Physicians and antidepressants say that the need for a safe opioid supply to prevent overdose deaths amid the COVID-19 epidemic is even more urgent.

“If safe delivery was something that would have been available to drug users, they would have considered it as homes wherever they lived,” said Andrea Serreda, a family physician at the London Intercommunity Health Center in Ontario, London. Earlier told Global News.

Serreda is part of a growing organization of frontline activists who say such ramps should be used to help those who depend on road supplies, protect them from the spread of COVID-19 and to use opioids on the road alone Reduce their increased risk of. .

What does it mean to be addicted
Addiction is a disease, but it is often portrayed as an alternative — a misunderstanding can further exacerbate people struggling with substance use and addiction.

“Of course, we will decide to use it [for the first time], but no one decides to live that lifestyle,” said Kim Helmons, chairman of the Department of Neuroscience at Carlton University in Ottawa.

Helmons said the exact science is still unclear, but physicians believe that the human brain has an area and a circuit.

“When we eat delicious food or have sex, the natural reward circuit [triggers] because when we engage in these rewarding events, they enhance our existence.”

Most addictive content targets this system.

“You shoot heroin or drink alcohol, nicotine, or cannabis, they all start activating that path,” Helman said. “It is good for us to translate it.”

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Among those who develop addiction, physicians believe that their “baseline rewards pathway activation” is low.

“When they are involved in the use of heroin or alcohol, it improves the activity of the pathway, so they think … it’s normal.”

He mentions that if someone has depression or anxiety and uses a substance to relieve symptoms, the brain notes that this particular substance makes them feel good.

The path triggered by these substances was meant to indicate the existence of substances, which is actually bad for you — but your brain does not know it.

“Your brain starts telling you that engaging in these behaviors means you are more likely to survive.” [Because of that] people trying to release these substances feel like they are dying. That circuit is not active “”

Read more: COVID-19 pandemic calls for safe opioids as contagious extreme crisis

And that’s why substance abuse can escalate during emergencies or disasters: users are looking for ways to feel better — and when they use drugs or alcohol, to trigger their brain pathways Let’s reward.

New ways to connect
Although social distance can certainly strengthen the relationship, Sarah says her community is pulling it together.

“I have a sponsor who is currently in a treatment center and they are not allowed to go to meetings or visitors, so we often communicate over the phone and share online resources that can help,” Sarah said.

“The consciousness of our community has deepened in these experimental times, so we all have the right information and resources that are really worth trying — not only transparently, but emotionally, in a good and positive way.”

The prevalence of COVID-19 is possibly increasing people’s levels of anxiety and stress, and substance abuse and abuse should be avoided at this time.

According to CAMH, at-risk, those recovering substance use may develop an addiction or recurrence. If you are recovering and experiencing stress, it is important to reach out for help before a re-infection.

The agency advises you:

If you can do it safely, you can reduce or stop using any of the prescribed substances.

Take prescribed medication.

Try to reduce or avoid caffeine and alcohol.

If you can’t do it alone, seek professional help.

The new coronavirus was first discovered in December 2019 in Hubei Province, China and spread rapidly. Although the epidemic has started in China, it seems that the virus has spread to many countries around the world and it is still spreading.

Question about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:

Health officials say the risk to Canadians is low but warns that this could change quickly. They all warn against international travel. Returning passengers are asked to isolate themselves for 14 days in the development of symptoms and to prevent the spread of the virus in others.

Symptoms may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing — such as a cold or a cold or flu. Some people may become more seriously ill. Individuals at risk include older adults and those with chronic chronic medical conditions such as heart, lung, or kidney disease. Contact the Public Health Authority if you develop symptoms.

To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend washing your hands frequently and coughing in your arms and staying home when you are sick.

For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. Call 911 for immediate emergency assistance

The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Depression Hearts and Kids Help Phone 1–800–668–6868 provides all ways to get help if you or someone you know is suffering from mental health problems.