Health

Demand in Addiction Treatment Spikes During COVID-19 Pandemic

Published

1 month ago

June 29, 2020

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, we have seen a dramatic rise in addiction and the subsequent need for treatment across America. According to a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, almost half of all Americans currently believe that the pandemic is harming their mental health.

This has led to a 1,000 percent increase in the number of calls received by a federal emergency hotline in April 2020 when compared to the same month last year. The hotline, run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration, saw 20,000 people text the number in April alone.

Talkspace, an online therapy company, has also reported a 65% spike in clients since the middle of February, around when the Coronavirus started making significant headway across America and Europe.

Co-founder and CEO of Talkspace, Oren Frank, told the Washington Post: “People are really afraid. What’s shocking to me is how little leaders are talking about this. There are no White House briefings about it. There is no plan.”

Similarly, Telehealth virtual visits increased by 50% in March alone, including addiction treatment services.

Frank also revealed that the rise in demand for services such as his own followed almost exactly the same rise as the virus itself across the United States.

Experts have analysed the patterns shown after economic downturns, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters and have subsequently predicted a continued spike in overdose deaths and substance abuse.

Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute hypothesized that an additional 4,800 people could lose their lives due to overdoses due to the current pandemic.

In the face of such a clear and alarming rise in mental health issues and a dependence on substances such as alcohol and drugs, the government advice is to continue treatment wherever possible.

Despite this, the United States federal substance abuse and mental health agency revealed in May that only 1 percent of the desired funding had been granted to them.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration issued the following statement: “For those with substance use disorders, inpatient/residential treatment has not been shown to be superior to intensive outpatient treatment. Therefore, in these extraordinary times of risk of viral infection, it is recommended that intensive outpatient treatment services be utilized whenever possible.”

What is even more worrying is that, like the vast majority of businesses, treatment facilities are also struggling in the current financial climate.

In May, 57% of surveyed organizations in North Carolina revealed that they had already been forced to close one of their programs due to financial constraints. 27% had laid off staff and 43% precited that they would have to close altogether by June.

As the issue of addiction continues to spiral out of control with sufferers confined to their own homes and denied access to face-to-face treatment, the demand on what few services remain seems to be unstable.

It remains to be seen whether the US government diverts further funds to ease the strain on addiction treatment in the following months as the COVID-19 pandemic reigns on.

Health

Eight Reasons to Add CBD Edibles in Your Diet Plan

Published

1 week ago

July 31, 2020

Michelle Langton

Still a controversial substance, CBD is slowly gaining popularity all around the world. From the time it was entirely illegal to becoming available for medical and now even recreational purposes in many countries and states, its users have seen many laws and regulations. Today, even doctors and scientists accept the magic of this natural wonder called CBD.

It is extracted from the hemp plant and separated from THC, which causes that euphoric state in its consumer. CBD has many benefits, and its use is continuously increasing. Today, you will even find many products like CBD capsules that offer all the same and more benefits. You can also get its oil and use it in home-cooked food. Many people even use it as a part of their regular diet for better health. Here I have shared why you also need to do the same.

It Actually Relieves Pain

It is scientifically proven that CBD has the qualities required to help relieve pain. That’s why it’s prescribed to many patients, especially the ones suffering from chronic pain. Other pain killers take a heavy toll on the health of the patient. CBD has no such side effects, and it offers just as much relief. As the THC is removed from CBD, there is also no problem of getting addicted.

In case you wondering how this plant can do something like this, here is some scientific explanation. Our body has an endocannabinoid system that is responsible for functions like pain, sleep, and appetite. CBD impacts endocannabinoid receptor activity and interacts with neurotransmitters and sciatic nerve pain.

Get Peace in Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression have become very common as civilization is advancing. People are more hooked on material and expectations, and competition makes this life even more difficult. One can’t help but suffer mental disorders in such a busy life and pressure. Over 6.8 million people is the USA are suffering from generalized anxiety disorder today. They should get therapy, but most people instead prefer getting medicines that offer them instant but temporary relief.

You might be able to say a permanent goodbye to these mental issues by using CBD edibles. If you have a serious issue, you should first visit a therapist and complete your sessions until he says you are well. CBD edible will give you the stability to make the right decision and fight anxiety and depression, but it’s not a fully dependable solution.

Helps Fight Cancer

The use of CBD edibles can help you live a safe and cancer-free life. It is known to fight some forms of cancer inside your body. Its oil was given to patients going through chemotherapy to test the results. The first result they discovered was that it reduced nauseated feeling and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Furthermore, some other tests were conducted in which they concluded that CBD has anticancer properties and it kills breast cancer cells in humans.

Cancer kills millions of people every year, and it is one of the most expensive treatments that most people can’t even afford. The research is still underway on the anticancer properties of CBD and how it can be helpful in the future. This is the reason why many people believe that governments are not legalizing marijuana because it would shut the billion-dollar cancer treatment business.

Less Acne and Better Skin

One of the things that made CBD most popular among women were its properties to help reduce acne. More than nine percent of the world population is affected by Acne. For many people, it’s temporary. It stays a few days and then it disappears like it never existed. However, it sometimes lasts longer, and it’s also a chronic issue in many people.

It is also believed to improve the health of the skin. There is already no doubt that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties. Some tests indicated that these properties also have a positive impact on people with skin diseases as it can reduce sebum production. The use of its products like ZenBears CBD Gummies in everyday diet could help you benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties.

Improves Heart Health

High blood pressure is a common reason for heart issues. If you can control your blood pressure, it will ensure your heart also remains healthy and cure one of the reasons that could have caused an attack. CBD has the power to keep it low, and it also has many other benefits for the heart. As it is also very helpful in anxiety and depression, it ensures in more than the way that your heart doesn’t get any unnecessary pressure that it can’t handle. Its properties that reduce anxiety is also the one that controls your blood pressure.

Improves Brain Health to Fight Seizures

Alzheimer’s is not a disease to be taken lightly, and its patients are continuously increasing. Our brain is responsible for running our entire bodies. If something is to happen to it, every part of your body will feel its effect. Although you might not have heard it before, it’s necessary to take measures that improve mental as well as brain health. It was discussed in a research that CBD can help protect our brain from diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is believed to reduce inflammation, prevent serious damage, protect cells, and generate new cells in the brain.

Reduces Muscle Spasm

Here is one reason why many sportsmen and fitness enthusiasts use CBD in their diet. It is known to help deal with muscle spasm. Many face this issue after doing hard work or putting too much pressure on a body part. These are temporary but excruciating. In a test of 276 people, it reduced spasm in 75% of participants who weren’t feeling any relief even after using medications.

Helps Fight Addiction

CBD also improves circuits in the brain that are related to drug addiction. It can help people become less dependable on drugs like morphine. Many patients who get addicted to medicines are recommended the use of CBD to slowly get rid of that addiction.