Given the unpredictable nature of addiction, addiction rates can be impacted and affected by things outside of our personal control. While the lifestyle of an addict will often have a major impact on their addiction and their ability to break free eventually, other factors must be taken into account as well. Someone losing their job or a loved one can be a catalyst for addiction.
Other times, though, addiction can be caused due to circumstances and factors outside one’s personal life. For example, the rising interest rates can make someone unable to afford their rent/mortgage, leaving them at risk of addiction as a means of coping with the stress. Another example comes from stressful events that impact more than just that individual. Regional or nationwide events, such as natural disasters, can harm people at risk of addiction.
This has been a common talking point for many years now. Studies have been carried out to determine what kind of impact “big events” such as natural disasters or pandemics can have on people suffering from addiction. A study carried out in 2021 found a significant link between major events such as a pandemic – in this case, the COVID-19 pandemic – and the impact it had on people who use drugs.
The study recommended that more be done to help provide for people suffering from the effects of the pandemic. Another example found in that same study came from the 2008 financial crash when there was a marked increase in the frequency of drug use. At the same time, there was a cut in both personal incomes and funding for treatment and addiction prevention, meaning many fell into the addiction trap without the same opportunities to find a way out.
Is This A New Issue?
Many assume that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such topics are only being discussed now. However, there has been a long-term connection between major events such as a natural disaster or a pandemic and a rise in addictive behaviors. A 2015 study found that there was a marked link between an incident taking place and people turning to substance abuse as a means of coping or forgetting.
This, then, is not a new issue. There has been a focus on the problem for years, but not enough has been done to try and resolve the issue. These major incidents can help to drive up addiction rates for various reasons, including:
Those who are addicted no longer have the support mechanism around them that they need
Changes to their set schedule and routine leaves addicts with a chaotic lifestyle once again
Opportunities and support structures have been lost, reduced, or eroded due to the incident
The stress and difficulty of the situation can leave people turning to substances to cope
These four reasons are some of the most obvious reasons why someone impacted by a “big event” like a pandemic or a natural disaster might turn to substance use. It can feel like the ‘easy’ way to resolve the issue, but it comes with the cost of future quality of life for many. These incidents can become seriously damaging to the health and well-being of many.
As such, this issue has been noted for a long time. The connection between a major disruptive event and someone turning to drugs is not new. It has become a common talking point for many, and it is easy to see why. However, the hope is that more studies on the topic will make it easier for governments and other bodies to act. The long-term impact of people becoming addicted to substances to cope with a major incident is detrimental to the health of the individual and those around them. It can also lead to issues such as high costs for treatment and recovery, as well as the loss of able-bodied members of the workforce before the incident takes place.
What About Natural Disasters?
Yes, natural disasters fall within the same kind of category. For example, there have been various discussions about the long-term impact of earthquakes on substance use. This topic has been reviewed at length, with the importance of understanding what these disasters do to people critical to building reasonable treatment and methods for care.
Getting people back on their feet after a major incident like an earthquake is not easy. Still, rebuilding society in the aftermath of such a damaging incident is essential. It is important, though, that funding is provided to help ensure that such crucial treatment facilities are not lost in the economic downturn that often follows a natural disaster, pandemic, or similar major event.
Natural disasters, then, are a cause factor that can either see people relapsing into addiction or people falling into the trap for the first time.
Receiving Treatment Is Essential
It is important that anyone who feels the strain of an incident such as a natural disaster or a pandemic reaches out for help and support. These events impact people in all ways, but it is even more important to receive help and support for those who risk losing their property and employment. With that in mind, Akasha Recovery is here to provide people with the necessary counsel.
As experts in providing recovery support to those who need it most, we are here to help provide information and insight on how to best cope with these circumstances. Anyone who feels like they are being drawn into the grasp of addiction can receive help and support from our specialists today.
Please reach out to us today if you’d like to talk about your circumstances. From overcoming addiction for the first time to dealing with a relapse due to a major incident, help is available and ready to be provided. Our team is here to help you move towards recovery from addiction, no matter what the cause of your addiction. Together, we can find a better way forward – whether through day-to-day life, or in the aftermath of a major event such as a pandemic.