CDC: COVID-19 Has Contributed To Record Overdose Deaths
Download mp3 (1.06 MB)For people struggling with substance use disorders, the pandemic's disruption of support networks has been particularly taxing. Now a CDC report suggests that strain is taking a toll.
CDC data show a record 81,000 drug overdose deaths during the twelve month period that ended in May. Synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl, accounted for the lion's share of overdose deaths.
COVID-19 likely worsened the already growing problem.
Josue Bustos is a clinical social worker at Terros Health's Maverick House, an in-patient treatment facility. He has not personally seen more overdose deaths, but said the report doesn't surprise him. He cited potential job loss and social isolation during COVID-19 – and now the holidays – as contributing factors.
"One of the things that people do if they have an active abuse disorder is to use drugs and alcohol, because that does take away some of the emotion. It does take away some of the loneliness," he said.
Bustos said he saw a related ripple effect during the spring and summer coronavirus stay-at-home orders.
"When that happened, there was a complete cutoff of community supports in regards to 12-step and not being able to connect with families."
In its report, the CDC, too, underlined the need for essential services to remain accessible. The agency also called for expanded prevention and response activities, naloxone use, overdose prevention education and treatment access.
Bustos added his own advice, informed by his background in trauma-informed care.
"One of the things that you can do is just be empathetic towards people's needs, right? Really understanding and meeting them where they're at."
