The Administration of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) recognizes the national recovery month of September. This national observation is held every year to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable people with substance use and mental disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives.
Candice Shelby, a professor at CU Denver, discusses what has happened to addiction throughout the COVID pandemic and why we need to change the way we approach the treatment of addiction.
Candice Shelby, PhD, associate professor of philosophy, wrote the book “Addiction: A Philosophical Perspective.”
How does your research on addiction look?
In 2005 I began researching biological, psychological, social and economic aspects of addiction. This led me to write my book Addiction: A Philosophical Perspective. In my book, I argue that addiction should not be understood as a disease, but as an emerging complex dynamic phenomenon that should be understood on many levels. It is not just about genetic or brain functions, but the result of numerous interactive and changing factors. We need to understand that there are many elements involved when individuals suffer from addiction.
I think people can get out of addiction through proper treatment. Addressing this issue is not easy, but it requires attention on many levels, with many different tools.
How has the pandemic worsened this year for addicts this year than in previous years?
There was a 30% jump in opioid-related overdose during the pandemic, in addition to 93,000 Americans. This number includes death from synthetic opioids. This is the biggest leap in American history. Deaths from psychostimulants such as methamphetamine also increased dramatically.
Over the last year, economic and health disparities have been exposed beyond what we had previously wanted to know. People also saw uncertainties about housing and food, which are the type of risks and stressors that can cause self-medication to escape. The last year can be seen as a great trauma, but also as a very different type of individual trauma, depending on the specific situations of each individual.
We also ran into the problem that there was no place where addicts could go during the pandemic. Most of the aid was limited to online services and harm reduction services were reduced. Although we saw that online group services had a high number of attendances, there is nothing like face-to-face help; and personal contact is exactly what was minimized.
What are the main issues with addiction treatment today?
Instead of providing people with addiction with adequate help, including medications to treat opioid disorder, people lost the insurance they could have paid for, and as a nation, we continue to criminalize opioids. drug-related behaviors. This is a problem, as it eliminates all opportunities that may exist to help addicts looking for a path to recovery. Fear of arrest and imprisonment create more fear and stress. If they are arrested, people are subjected to additional reasons for wanting to self-medicate. People who are taken to prison, even briefly, often lose their jobs, time to attend to their addiction problems, and often their support systems as they isolate themselves from their families. Even undergoing the process of defending himself in court and then attending all the necessary appointments involving parole, he undermines a person’s ability to receive adequate help for their addiction. As a society, we are really putting someone in a deeper hole by criminalizing them instead of giving them the help they need.
For a hundred years we have been conditioned on the Al-Anon-based approach to “hard love” being the right treatment philosophy for the families of people suffering from addiction. According to this advice, we need to be selfish and take care of ourselves and eliminate from our lives those who suffer from addiction. This no longer works. It never really worked. We will all suffer the ravages of our society from this epidemic of addiction until we realize that we are all there together.
How can we better address addiction recovery during COVID and beyond?
What recovery addicts need is to need health care, both physical and mental (because they have the same foundation), social support, and ways to find meaning.
We need to put in place a system in which access to mental care and trauma is widely accessible, as well as opioid therapies, which have proven to be highly effective. In addition, as mentioned above, addicts have not had access to their support groups due to the pandemic. Online services have not been enough. They need to be touched by other human beings and share stories. To bring about the myriad of changes that are needed to overcome this attrition, we will need federals, states, and volunteers to help fund these efforts.
I approve of a model of open entropic systems to help our addicted family and friends. Instead of shutting ourselves in to try to “reserve” our energy, which is impossible, it’s much more effective to get support from healthy sources, so we have more to help those who need it most. This is a kind of loose model, and it’s essential to change from “hard love” to this one, because with such huge numbers, we’re all affected.
You can find more information about Candice’s book here. He also recently appeared on the Montel Williams podcast to discuss the opioid problem within the pandemic. You can find the full interview here.
When Elizabeth A. Heller says she researches drug addiction, people may have misconceptions about her area of expertise. “People may think that addiction research is only about behavior,” says Heller, assistant professor of pharmacology and head of a neuroepigenetics lab.
Elizabeth Heller, assistant professor of pharmacology and head of the Heller Lab.
Instead, Heller’s work and the work of his 10-person lab focus on the molecular mechanisms of the brain, with the goal of uncovering chronic changes that can occur and continue to occur in the brain long after exposure to addictive substances such as cocaine.
“I was drawn back to Penn because not only was it my alma mater, but it was the home of innovative and stimulating neuroscience and epigenetic research and the leading scientists leading discovery in the field. It was a place that it fostered my love for research,” she says.
Heller’s field, neuroepigenetics, deals with changes in gene expression caused by the environment inside the brain.
“The genes, which we inherit from our parents and their parents, are not as closed as we think. They are susceptible to change due to environmental effects. Much of our research in my lab revolves around the role of chromatin, a complex of DNA and proteins within a cell’s nucleus, in the neuroepigenetics and effects of cocaine. It is a drug that only produces chemical addiction in a minority of users. But among those who become addicted, the likelihood that someone will quit smoking completely increases if they can abstain from using for a year. This led my colleagues and I to think that something happens in the brain in late withdrawal that can help patients recover.”
Heller cites her experience as an undergraduate at Penn as her inspiration for both her research and her role as teacher of this generation of students.
“I was honestly inspired by all the early experiences I had in the lab, like the ones I had as an undergrad at Penn, and the researchers who gave me the opportunity to question and explore. I think I owe the same support to young scientists I work with today,” he says.
“Furthermore, those with a substance use disorder continue to be stigmatized. Drugs affect people in different ways. And while it is clear that drugs like cocaine are harmful, this should not prevent scientists from investigate the scientific mechanisms behind it.”
I’m a big fan of watching people grow and become healthier, happier versions of themselves. ~ Unknown
Do you feel overwhelmed during this unusual time of living with the threat of COVID-19?
Sometimes life throws us a curveball. Things happen that you weren’t expecting. Life feels uncertain.
The coronavirus affects us all. It adds more stress for families that were already worried about their child struggling with drugs or alcohol. You may be feeling like life is out of control.
It is good to remind ourselves that everything is temporary, whether it’s good times or bad.
While your life may be upside down in this time of uncertainty, you will get through this. Your life will get back on track.
In the meantime, here are some things I’ve been doing that I’ve found helpful. I hope you can find ways to feel happier in this unprecedented situation.
“You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.” – Timber Hawkeye
1. You’re doing the best you can.
When trouble strikes, you may find yourself focusing most of your energy on the issue at hand which is understandable. Things have a way of feeling out of balance. So while you may feel added anxiety, recognize that you are doing the best that you can. That is all that you can expect from yourself. Focus on what you can do to help yourself. Have compassion for yourself and for others.
2. Journal daily.
I am not always consistent with journaling. I write so much, that I don’t always get to my journal. Yet, I’m finding that journaling is a great thing to do right now. It will make you feel better as you get your thoughts on paper.
You will have a record of what went on for you doing this time. It might be interesting in the future to look back at your feelings when we were all concerned about COVID-19. Research shows that even if you journal only a few times a week, your stress level will decrease.
3. Take a moment and breathe to feel happier.
Even if it’s just for a moment,listen to your breath and give your mind a rest from what is going on around you. Want more? Sit for 15-20 minutes. You will begin to remember how it feels to be calm. Meditation is an amazing tool to connect with your inner self. It is a way to find some quiet moments each day to renew and allow your mind to rest.
If meditation is not your goal, giving yourself a few peaceful moments throughout the day will be calming. You could do a walking meditation where you are moving your body and listening to your breath. It will help calm you down and feel a bit more relaxed.
4. Spend time with friends and family.
With our shelter in place orders, it has made it difficult to visit with family and friends. I’ve been connecting by getting together on Zoom calls. Zoom is a video-conferencing application which is the next best thing to visiting in person. The service is free for 40 minutes and you can chat while seeing each other on-screen. It has helped me feel less isolated. Talking to people you love even if it is through a screen will help you feel happier and less isolated. To be transparent, this is a referral link.
5. Take care of your health.
Eat healthy food. Try to get as much sleep as possible. Drink lots of water. The more you can take care of your health, the better you will feel. The healthier you are, the better your chances of staying well during this time. Do things to keep physically fit and mentally strong. Self-care has never been more important than now. It will help you stay as positive as possible.
6. Getting outside and taking a long walk will help you feel happier.
Walking is still one of those activities that most of us can do. You feel better when you move your body. Physical exercise can help improve your mood. It can also relieve some of your stress during this trying time.
You will find that any daily tension will lessen with movement and physical activity. You’ll have more energy and feel more optimistic. Walking or doing any exercise for that matter can help you remain calm in everything you do. I love my long daily walk. We have a beautiful trail, but there are more people there, so I try and walk on the streets. As we all know, the more we can avoid close contact, the better.
7. Do a few projects around the house.
This is the perfect time to get a few things done around the house that you may have been putting off. The closets and drawers are an excellent place to start for a reorganization and cleaning. I know mine could use some attention, so that is a project that I hope to do this week. If there are home projects you can do now, when we are all in a better place, you’ll feel that you’ve accomplished something.
8. Remember that this, too, will pass.
Nothing is permanent. Sooner or later, our life will get back to normal. There will be an end to being on lockdown because of the coronavirus. Looking back, you may remember this time as being unpleasant or stressful, but you will walk away with something new that you’ve learned.
The silver linings that I’ve noticed around the coronavirus are:
Families can spend more time together, especially when both parents are usually working full time.
You have a chance to put your life on pause and reevaluate what is important to you.
My hope is that you’ll have a renewed sense of gratitude.
The coronavirus was nothing that anyone planned on. Life will move forward. You will feel happier again. Let’s use this time to the best of our abilities. You can face whatever comes your way with a sense of strength.
My best wishes to you and your family. May you and your loved ones stay healthy and have happier times ahead.
When life gets hectic and you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to focus on the people and things you are most grateful for. When you have an attitude of gratitude, frustrating troubles will fall by the wayside. ~ Dana Arcuri
By: Cathy Taughinbaugh Title: 8 Helpful Ways to Feel Happier When Times Are Difficult Sourced From: cathytaughinbaugh.com/8-helpful-ways-to-feel-happier-when-times-are-difficult-2/ Published Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2020 06:38:01 +0000
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Candice Shelby, PhD, associate professor of philosophy, wrote the book “Addiction: A Philosophical Perspective.”
