Imagine this scenario: You have a problem with drugs or alcohol. You have made the difficult decision that you need to seek treatment and you are going to go to a treatment facility, but now we are in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. What do you do? Do you still go for treatment? Is it safe? Do you wait until the pandemic is over, or until an effective and safe vaccine for COVID-19 has been developed?
Fortunately, most experts agree that it is safe to go to a treatment facility during the pandemic because of the health and safety precautions that facilities are taking. In fact, because of the increase of alcohol and drug use that has occurred since the pandemic began, and the stress that the pandemic has caused to almost everyone, this may be a better time than ever to seek treatment for drug or alcohol abuse.
Precautions at Treatment Facilities
Because drug and alcohol treatment facilities are considered essential services, they have not been subject to closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the precautions that are taken will undoubtedly vary from facility to facility, you can be certain that at all treatment facilities, the health and safety of patients and staff is of the utmost importance.
As an example, at many treatment facilities, prospective patients will be asked to complete a health questionnaire before they are admitted. A typical questionnaire will ask if a person seeking treatment has traveled outside the United States or passed through an airport recently; if he or she has experienced coughing, shortness of breath, or a fever in the past seven days; if he or she has had a loss of taste or smell in the past seven days; or if he or she has been in contact with anyone who may be COVID-19 positive. At many treatment centers, everyone who physically enters the facility, patients and staff alike, have their temperature taken with a forehead thermometer. Anyone with a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be allowed into the facility.
Staff members are also carefully screened and monitored. All staff members who can work remotely are doing so. Protocols have been developed to follow in the event that a staff member becomes ill with COVID-19. Disinfectant wipes, gloves, and masks are readily available in facilities, and cleaning and disinfecting routines have been intensified. High-touch surfaces are disinfected throughout the day.
Masks, Social Distancing, and Remote Therapy Sessions
For everyone, wearing masks in common areas is mandatory and social distancing is carefully maintained. Handshakes, hugs, high-fives, and other displays of affection are not allowed during the pandemic, many residential treatment centers are not allowing family members to visit, and off-site appointments have been limited to those that are absolutely necessary.
When possible to do so, therapy sessions are conducted remotely. If therapy must be conducted in person, either individual counseling or group therapy, everyone is required to wear a mask and social distancing guidelines are observed.
Treatment facilities have also established procedures to follow in the event that a patient becomes ill while they are at the facility. Patients in an out-patient facility would return home and participate in their sessions remotely. They would also need to contact their primary care physician or go to an urgent care center. In either case, patients would need to be cleared by a medical professional before returning to substance abuse treatment and typically would need to be free of a fever for 72 hours. Patients in residential treatment programs who become ill with COVID-19 may be quarantined in their residence or sent home. Either way, they would still have the opportunity to participate in therapy sessions remotely, assuming they feel well enough. Of course, patients would be transported to a nearby hospital if that is what their medical condition requires.
The Pandemic May Be the Best Time Ever to Seek Treatment
Although the middle of a pandemic may feel like a frightening time to seek treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, it may be an especially good time. A treatment facility, either residential or outpatient, will provide structure, which for many people has been lacking during the pandemic and has contributed to the stress that many people are feeling. Being in treatment will prevent people struggling with addiction from abusing drugs or alcohol, and will prevent them from engaging in the risky behaviors associated with drug and/or alcohol abuse. The pandemic may be the best time to seek treatment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic the use of drugs and alcohol has gone up sharply. People have turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the stress and uncertainty that the pandemic has caused. Not only have more people been using drugs and alcohol, but the people who do use substances to cope have been using more. Some experts have voiced concerns that this pattern of excessive consumption may be hard for some people to change when the pandemic ends. In addition, with orders to shelter-in-place, some people who need treatment have been afraid to seek it out. Fortunately, treatment centers have responded by developing protocols to protect the health and safety of their patients and staff, making it safe to seek treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Promising Outlook is one such center. Located in Riverside, California, Promising Outlook offers treatment for drug and alcohol abuse on an outpatient basis. If you or someone close to you is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, call Promising Outlook at (951) 783-2487.
