While COVID-19 has had a serious impact on everyone, it is important to remember that before entering this pandemic, we were in the middle of fighting the opioid epidemic. COVID-19 has caused impact on drug and alcohol use and recovery all over the United States. It is being reported in Missouri and Kansas among other states, that the overdose rates have skyrocketed.
Since alcohol and marijuana shops were deemed essential services in our community ease of access has increased. With home delivery for alcohol, sales in the United States have increased by over 55% with hard liquor sales also seeing a significantly higher increase. This, coupled with the widespread impact of COVID-19 on our community, it is reasonable to conclude that people in the U.S. are drinking more heavily to deal with the effects of fear, isolation, loneliness, depression and anxiety generated by our current circumstances.
While the forced social isolation has been necessary for the prevention of the spread of the virus, it has prohibited people in recovery from drugs and alcohol from attending in person 12-step support group meetings. These groups/ meetings are the essential root of physical, emotional, and spiritual support for teens/ young adults, and adults trying to stay sober. Some will quickly point out that video meetings have been made available, and while this is true and most in recovery have been incredibly grateful for video meetings, they are barely a substitute to what a live meeting provides.
This has also had a particularly strong impact on the already struggling age group of 13-25 (ish). Having been stuck at home, with very few tools to deal with these issues, and being pushed into social disconnection, many have turned to drugs and alcohol. This has left both parents and their children feeling hopeless for a solution. If you are unclear of signs and symptoms of teenage substance abuse, consult a professional at The Crossroads Program. Also, if your teen/ young adult was in recovery before / during COVID-19, they may need a little extra help to pull up and out of the hole. It is important to be aware of the extra pressures they may feel and seek professional help if you are concerned.
Also, we understand that this is a scary subject and we encourage people who have found the solutions to please reach out to those who have not. If you see or hear a person struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, please reach out and offer your experience, strength and hope.
Our treatment experts are standing by to offer you much needed solutions and most importantly, hope. Referring someone to The Crossroads Program is a simple process. Our experienced staff is ready and available to assist in finding the most appropriate treatment for each individual.
The Crossroads Program offers Intensive Outpatient, individual counseling and support groups for young people and their parents. These can be attended both in person and by video. Crossroads utilizes the enthusiastic approach making sobriety fun and attractive. The Crossroads Program also works very closely to a residential program, so if a young person needs more intensive care, an appropriate referral will be made.
Please call to schedule a free assessment for referral. If you are looking for help for someone over the age of 25, we are happy to give you a referral over the phone. If you are not located in the Chesterfield / St. Louis, MO or Kansas City, MO area and are looking for treatment, please visit https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
Chesterfield, MO please call 636-532-9991.
Kansas City, MO area please call 816-941-4000.
If you are looking for help for someone over the age of 25, a different kind of treatment, or treatment in a different location, please visit https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/