How post Covid unemployment crisis caused a increase in Drug Abuse
Economic recessions have been observed to soar illegal drug use via different mechanisms including increased abuse of alcohol and other illegal substances due to psychological distress. Increasing number of studies are suggesting that there is strong evidence that economic downturns lead to increases in substance use disorders involving hallucinogens and prescription pain relievers. Findings also indicate that despite the existence of strict drug control laws and a multitude of agencies working towards drug supply control, a wide variety of the controlled drugs are being used and a sizeable number of Indians suffer from addiction to these drugs.
In between a raging second wave, which is touching new peaks each passing day, a typical middle class household’s finances are severely impacted when an earning member loses their job. Some families find it tough to even meet day to day expenses. This leaves people alone, worried and severely distressed. We already encountered the stories of longer hours, higher responsibilities and bigger burden of tasks in these Covid times. Unemployment is a relatively bigger concern because the hiring is obviously low and no one knows how long the pandemic will continue to be. Given the new norm of social distancing, there is no possible benefit of the network to fall back on. With no social gatherings to hunt for possibilities and prohibited informal meets, it becomes nearly impossible to get back into jobs again. Tough times as we understand.
In the quarterly bulletin of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) , data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed that unemployment in urban areas in India rose to 20.9% in the April-June period from 9.1% in January-March 2020, the period following the strict nationwide lockdown imposed in March to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.
Reportedly, unemployment had severe effect on use of illegal drugs among adults. The onset of Covid -19 brought with it grief at the loss of loved ones, shock at the loss of jobs, quarantines and restrictions on movement, complicated family dynamics, uncertainty and fear for the future. In sheer numbers, the drug abuse problem in India is worse than Covid-19. The sensational news of The U.N. chief in a video message launching a policy briefing that “after decades of neglect and under-investment in mental health services, the COVID-19 pandemic is now hitting families and communities with additional mental stress.” Proves the extent of damage Corona Virus had levelled upon us. Research has it that the number of new addictions and deaths from overdose have both doubled from the onset of the pandemic.
The irony lies in the fact that the pandemic and the epidemic mutually affect each other. Albeit drug abuse can increase the risks associated with a coronavirus infection, the psychological implications of the pandemic can accommodate and intensify drug abuse, in a potentially catastrophic cycle. Social distancing and isolation, which are preventive measures to keep the virus from transmitting have been correlated with negative emotions such as irritability, anxiety, fear, sadness, anger or boredom. These conditions have been notorious in triggering relapse, even in long-term abstainers. People with pre-disposed mental disorders are prone to abuse substances when in turmoil or when they fail to put up with the standards.
While centre is chalking out strategies to deal with the crisis and pandemic together, are you or a loved one effected with drug abuse? Addictions are completely curable in well-equipped rehabs which are dedicated to offering high quality guided treatments for different addictions. So, worry not – help is just a call away.
