Potential risks to people who abuse drugs during Covid

While several countries across the world continue to grapple with Covid-19, each of us is supposed to take necessary precautions to prevent exposure. Considering the fact that Corona pandemic could land addicts with already compromised lung and heart conditions in jeopardy, it is advisable for higher risk groups including drug/alcohol addicts to be extra cautious during these trying times. Specifically, for people who smoke or vape, or use opioids or methamphetamine, Covid-19 could prove devastating. Therefore, they need to be under constant observation.

Addiction treatment during the Corona times becomes mandatory since It has been observed that Covid mostly affects older people and people with chronic illnesses. A proper treatment in a rehab at this time can save addicts not only from drug abuse but also from the potential implications of Covid-19, that hits hard, the functioning of lungs. Also, pre-existing respiratory conditions and a weakened immune system could make the patient easily vulnerable to the virus.

Anxiety due to Pandemic
Whenever there has been a pandemic like this, we have witnessed a significant upsurge in drug consumption across the world. People grow anxious and to deal with anxiety, most of them end up using drugs/substances in increased amounts. Relapses also could become a common scene. And this new adaptation technique, (as they suppose), unfortunately, could cause detrimental health effects. The life shattering drug dependence can inadvertently claim the life of addicts if not being cautious enough.

Limited Healthcare Access
Sudden and huge spread of the virus has resulted in limited access to health care facilities across the world. Drug addicts with pre-existing conditions face the risk of getting excluded, based on priority lists when hospitals become overcrowded. They may also be denied treatment for conditions resulting from addictions during this chaotic period. Therefore, admitting into a rehab is the best option for addicts. Rehabs ensure responsive, timely treatments.

Addicts with COPD
A person’s resistance could be determined depending on the history of the chronic diseases in him/her. Covid-19 could prove deadly to people who smoke marijuana, crack, cocaine, and heroin because these drugs significantly increase the risk of developing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Cocaine and intravenous drug users are also at higher risk due to the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among this population.

Addicts who Smoke
People who smoke much more are heavily affected by Novel Coronavirus than non-smokers because smoke attacks and damages the lungs. Besides, use of opioid drugs can cause the respiratory symptoms of addiction and the COVID-19 infection to be complemented with respiratory depression.

Sharing Equipment
Sharing Drug-Using Equipment is another dangerous activity that could land drug users in trouble with Covid-19 infection. These viral infections can spread infections through equipment such as shared bongs and syringes. When a certain object is passed around many people, the possibility of infection increases significantly. Also, when sharing drug inducing equipment, people tend to stay very proximate to each other, i.e. less than 6 feet. This is another reason why Covid could pose contagion challenges to these people rather than the general population.

Money Crunch
Drug addiction often lands people on the streets due to loss of job and therefore lower finances. This is a high-risk condition where the addict is constantly exposed to the outer world denying themselves of the basic measures of social distancing and sanitisation from people who carry the disease.

The above mentioned are a few reasons that could explain why drug abusers are at a higher risk during this Covid pandemic and why joining a rehab could be life saving for them.