Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
COVID-19 Is Changing The Fight Against Addiction
(Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
()
Here's another group of people whose lives have been upended by COVID-19: Those struggling with addiction who aren't able to meet in-person for 12-step programs and therapy sessions.
That has addiction treatment providers across California scrambling to move their services online and to the phone.
Dr. Matt Polacheck, director of outpatient services at the Hazelden Betty Ford Center in West Los Angeles, said he's happy the facility has been able to transfer more than 1,300 outpatients to telehealth services.
"The beauty of recovery is really in community, and when you see someone's face that you didn't think you were going to see because of this pandemic, it's a very comforting, safe feeling for people," he said.
Support for LAist comes from
The Betty Ford Center for drug rehab in Rancho Mirage is continuing to offer inpatient services and admit new patients.
"This disease doesn't stop because of coronavirus, and people need help," Polacheck said.
Like so many others, though, Hazelden Betty Ford has had to make adjustments in the day-to-day operations at its inpatient facilities. It has frozen on-campus visitation, is checking all patients and staff for fever, and is hosting lectures with physical distancing practices.
'YOU CAN STILL GET ANY SUBSTANCE'
As people struggling with addiction adapt to rapidly changing ways of accessing care, the reality is that access to addictive substances is as widespread as ever.
"People wrongfully thought, 'Oh, everyone's shut down, there's no way you can get substances,'" said Dr. Timothy Fong, a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA. "Absolutely false, you can still get any substance that you needed or wanted."
With people stuck at home, this is a great opportunity to clean out expired prescription drugs from medicine cabinets, he said.
Support for LAist comes from
We still don't know how the coronavirus pandemic will affect the incidence of addiction, Fong said. "We presume it will because any time you have an increased stress, increased trauma, those lay the groundwork for addiction to develop," he said.
A BRAVE NEW WORLD FOR VIRTUAL TREATMENT
The expanded use of telehealth services raises serious concerns for Fong about people with limited internet access, as well as worries about privacy issues. Still, he believes this is a brave new world for virtual treatment.
For one, he can see patients any time of the day and they don't have to fight traffic to get to his office at UCLA. And having a window into patients' home settings through their phone or computer's camera has been informative.
"For instance, I had a woman with OCD," Fong said. "She showed me her apartment and it's completely clean, but she was concerned that there was nothing left for [her] to clean anymore, and that was the source of distress that she was having."
Fong said for some, expanding telehealth is making it easier than ever to get treated for addiction, and he hopes that will continue well after COVID-19.
SOME RESOURCES IF YOU NEED HELP:
Support for LAist comes from
LA County's Substance Abuse Service Helpline: 1-844-804-7500
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Dealing With Addiction -- From Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
- Your No-Panic Guide To Coronavirus In LA So Far
- Where To Get Financial Assistance, Food And Other Help
- Tracking The Spread Of COVID-19
- Have A Question? We Will Answer It
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletter for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Support for LAist comes from
Support our free, independent journalism today. Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist