Substance abuse has always been a significant issue. But the pandemic fueled the flames. With many people alone at home, bored and depressed, drugs served as a recreational activity and a way to temporarily relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety.

After more than two years of dealing with the coronavirus, we have gotten a better handle on it. But many people have formed a habit that’s difficult to overcome. This article will look at substance use during the pandemic and what you can do if you or a loved one is dealing with dependency issues.

How Did COVID-19 Impact Addiction Rates? 

When the pandemic began, many people were forced to stay in their homes. Businesses had shut down their doors or were forced to operate through online means only. People were advised to keep away from friends and family for fear of spreading the virus.

But there was one thing people still had access to drugs. The illegal drug industry paid little heed to the shutdowns, and dealers were still out in full force. And online operations made it possible to access alcohol and other types of meds.

Drugs quickly became a recreational activity that took over the many business closures. It also temporarily relieved feelings of depression and anxiety caused by people not being able to see their loved ones and being uncertain about their financial situations. 

According to statistics:

• Nearly one-third of people who drink have increased their alcohol consumption since the pandemic’s beginning. 
• Nearly 30% of people that took drugs increased their drug activity. 
• Overdose deaths rose by 27% in the first year of the pandemic.

What are Some Trends of Substance Abuse During the Pandemic? 

The pandemic saw not only a rise in substance abuse, but new trends in the substances used and how they were used. Here are some trends to look out for. 

• Chemsex: Chemsex involves using drugs to enhance the sexual experience. 
• A Rise in Illegal Psychotropic Drugs: During the pandemic, people had limited access to doctors. Many who became addicted to prescription medications began sourcing them on the street, increasing the chances of taking drugs cut with more dangerous substances than the drug itself. 
• Drugs Being Sold on the Dark Web: With people wanting to refrain from face-to-face contact, many drugs are sold on the dark web, which also increases the risk of dangerous substitutions. 
• Increased Use of Synthetic Opioids and Designer Benzodiazepines: These have become more popular because they can be purchased online. 
• Increased Use of Psychotropic Drugs: Since people were in solitude more often, they avoided more social drugs, opting instead for psychotropic drugs that can be consumed in solitude. 
• Increased Chance of Serious COVID Symptoms: COVID is known to affect the respiratory system. It can be especially bad in people that smoke heroin and do crack cocaine as these drugs often cause asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Opioids also have respiratory depressant effects making users vulnerable to long COVID or COVID-related deaths. 
• More Treatment Programs, Including Online Programs: Substance abuse has gotten worse since the start of COVID, but providers are responding by making more treatment options available. These include digital programs that allow patients to get the treatment they need online. 

How to Find Addiction Treatment Programs Near You

If you or someone you love has developed a habit during the pandemic, there are several facilities that offer help. But it can be difficult to find the one that’s right for you. You must think about the type of care offered, the atmosphere, success rates, etc. 

You can spend hours trying to find a suitable facility, or you can save yourself time by calling My Recovery Source first. 

My Recovery Source is a free resource that specializes in matching people with a rehab facility that’s right for them. They offer assistance regardless of your financial and personal situation and location. They can help you or a loved one find the comprehensive care you need. Substance abuse is a problem that has gotten worse since the pandemic began. My Recovery Source can help you leave your dependency issues behind. Contact us to get on a path to overcoming your addiction.

When a person starts doing drugs, they will notice it affects their relationships personally and professionally. When it comes to working, an individual who is abusing drugs may be unable to function productively, or they may stop showing up completely. 

Being aware of signs of drug abuse in the workplace can be useful on many levels. It can be a wake-up call for the person using, as they recognize how the drugs are negatively impacting their performance and life.

Knowing the signs of drug use in the workplace can also let employers know when an employee is going too far so they can decide what steps need to be taken to get them the help they need.

This article will explore the signs of work drug use so you can take the right steps when someone is using drugs at work. 

How Can Substance Abuse Impact Work?

There are many functional drug users that may be able to balance work and addiction for some time. But after a while, it will catch up to you. You may find yourself so hungover you are unable to come to work. You may also get drug sick if you don’t have drugs in your system, which causes you to be unable to function. 

Your condition may leave you unable to drive, so you can’t get to work safely unless you can rely on public transportation. If you do make it to work, you may find you are unable to complete tasks and be productive. After a while, your employer and co-workers are likely to catch on, and are status at work could be in jeopardy.

What are the Signs of Drug Abuse in the Workplace?

If you work in an office, you may find that your employee or someone you work with has begun acting strangely. Here are some signs that drug abuse may be behind their newly acquired behavior. 

• A lack of self-care
• Moodiness and irritability
• Poor attendance and lateness
• Asking co-workers to borrow money
• Asking employers for payday advances
• Physical signs of addiction such as excessive sweating, changes in skin tone, pinned or dilated pupils, deteriorating teeth and gums
• A lack of interest in work and withdrawal from socializing
• Taking breaks frequently to get drugs or go to the bathroom to use

How an Employer May React to Drug Abuse in the Workplace

If an employer sees signs of drug abuse in the workplace, they are likely to take you into a private meeting so they can address your habit in the presence of the HR staff. 

They may offer to get you treatment. If you are a valuable employee who has been with the company for a while, they may be able to get you checked into a rehab program with costs covered by the business insurance policy. 

It may be difficult to agree to get help, but if someone is offering to cover your expenses, it’s advisable to say yes. This way, you can keep your job, get the affordable care you require and move on to a higher quality of life. 

How to Get Substance Abuse Help Today

Addiction can impact anyone. If you are dealing with substance abuse and it’s starting to affect your work performance, don’t wait to get the care you need. Reach out today. 

Finding the right facility can be difficult. You must think about choosing a center that offers the right atmosphere, appropriate treatment, and qualified staff. You can spend hours researching, or you can make the task easier by calling My Recovery Source first. 

My Recovery Source is a free service specializing in matching people with a rehab facility best suited to their needs. We provide help regardless of your location or financial or personal situation. We can assist you or a loved one in getting the care you require. Addiction can wreck your personal and professional life. Don’t let it get the best of you. Reach out to My Recovery Source today. We will give you the guidance you need to get on a healthier, happier trajectory.

Many drugs can lead to addiction, but some are more dangerous than others. Fentanyl is one of the deadliest drugs around. Read on to find out the answer to the question, why is fentanyl so deadly?

What is Fentanyl? 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, meaning it is made in a lab, and it is used for pain management of cancer patients and for those recovering from surgery. It is 80-100 times stronger than morphine. 

While fentanyl should be limited to medical use only, it is often sold illegally on the streets. It can be added to heroin, cocaine, or other drugs to make the effects even stronger. Some dealers may even sell fentanyl, pretending it is just heroin. This is generally a recipe for disaster as fentanyl is much stronger than heroin; if a person takes a dose of fentanyl thinking it is heroin, they ingest enough to cause a fatal overdose.

Fentanyl is sold on the street in a variety of forms, including eye droppers, nasal sprays, blotter papers, and powder. It is often referred to by the following nicknames:

• Apace
• China Girl
• China Town
• China White
• Dance Fever
• Goodfellas
• Great Bear
• He-Man
• Poison
• Tango 
• Cash

How Does Fentanyl Impact the Body?

Like most opioids, fentanyl binds to the opioid receptors in the brain that control pain and emotions. In doing so, it dulls pain and causes feelings of sleepiness and drowsiness. It can also produce side effects such as:

• Nausea
• Confusion
• Difficulty breathing
• Constipation
• Sedation
• Unconsciousness

Fentanyl can also become addictive. After doing the drug a few times, the body begins building a tolerance to it. The person will need to take higher doses to get the same effect.

They may also start to get withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not in their system. These occur when the body becomes so used to the drug, it’s unable to function properly without it.

The person knows the only way to get rid of these symptoms short-term is to do more of the drug. This sets them on a vicious cycle. 

Other signs of addiction include the following: 

• Mood swings
• Impaired judgment
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Digestive issues
• Convulsions
• Loss of appetite
• Ulcers or sores in the mouth 
• Sunken eyes
• Swelling of the extremities
• Pale skin
• Withdrawal from society
• An inability to enjoy the things you once loved
• Financial issues
• Legal issues
• Engaging in dangerous and dishonest behavior

Why is Fentanyl So Deadly? 

Fentanyl is very dangerous. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, fentanyl and other synthetic opioids caused 56,516 overdose deaths in 2020.

There are several reasons why fentanyl worse than heroin. Here are some to consider. 

• It’s Extremely Powerful: Fentanyl is 50-100% more powerful than morphine. This means it’s very easy to take a dose that is more than your body can handle. This is especially likely if you don’t realize you are taking fentanyl because it’s disguised as another drug. 
• It’s Extremely Addictive: Fentanyl is highly addictive. It activates the rewards system of the brain, reinforcing its use and making negative consequences seem unimportant. Some say that the brain will crave the drug after taking it just once. 
• People Don’t Always Know They are Using It: Fentanyl is cheaper than heroin and cocaine. Therefore, many drug dealers will mix it into their products. People that take it may not realize they are using such a powerful drug, so they end up taking more than they can handle.

How to Find Fentanyl Addiction Treatment

Fentanyl is a very dangerous drug, but fortunately, fentanyl treatment is available. It can be difficult to find the right treatment center for you. You must think about the cost, environment and the type of therapy offered. It can take hours to determine the best route to take, but you can make the process easier by contacting My Recovery Source first. 

My Recovery Source is a free resource that specializes in matching people with the right rehab facility. We offer help regardless of your location and personal or financial situation. We can assist you or a loved one in finding the comprehensive care you require. 

Addiction can keep you from fully enjoying life. Don’t let it take over your ability to find happiness. Call My Recovery Source today. We will set you on the road to recovery and personal success.