{"id":12558,"date":"2021-02-04T11:55:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-04T16:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/?post_type=professionals&p=12558"},"modified":"2022-04-24T12:15:14","modified_gmt":"2022-04-24T16:15:14","slug":"covid-fueling-next-opioid-epidemic","status":"publish","type":"professionals","link":"https:\/\/www.therecoveryvillage.com\/professionals\/blog\/covid-fueling-next-opioid-epidemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Is COVID-19 Fueling the Next Opioid Epidemic?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Prior to COVID-19, progress had been made in the fight against the Opioid Epidemic. But have stay-at-home measures, unemployment and restricted access to health care created by the pandemic turned back the clock?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Is COVID-19 Fueling the Next Opioid Epidemic? The Data Says Yes.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a behavioral health care provider, we\u2019ve been studying drug and alcohol usage during the pandemic since it began. We\u2019ve seen a clear and significant increase in substance use<\/a> as well as reported mental health symptoms<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the emergence of COVID-19, the opioid epidemic dominated both local and national public health headlines. Between 2006-2012, 76 billion opioid pills<\/a> flooded the country. Florida in particular became a focal point as the crisis developed. In fact, just last month, the Florida governor announced a $5 million pilot program<\/a> to help fight the crisis in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to COVID-19, progress had been made: pill mills were shut down, prescribing protocols for opioids have been adjusted and lawsuits alleging that drug companies prioritized profits over public health have been filed and won. But have the stay-at-home measures, unemployment<\/a> and restricted access to health care created by the pandemic turned back the clock?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To find out, we launched a survey in partnership with\u00a0Project Opioid<\/a>\u00a0to understand how opioid abuse has been impacted by the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Opioid Usage Rising Fast During Pandemic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We surveyed 785 Florida residents about their substance use pre-COVID compared to now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> Some questions asked respondents to select each option that applied, so in a few instances, the total percentage will be greater than one hundred.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Florida’s Growing Opioid Problem Infographic<\/a><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Click to see, share or download the full infographic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Of those who reported opioid use:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n