With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
How COVID-19 Is Changing The Fight Against Addiction
Addiction treatment providers are turning to telemedicine in the face of COVID-19 / Getty
()
COVID-19 is upending the daily lives of people across the globe, and that includes people struggling with addiction who aren’t able to meet in-person for 12-step programs and therapy sessions.
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 patients over 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,” Polacheck said.
UCLA psychiatry Professor Dr. Timothy Fong said while he does have serious concerns about people with limited internet access, this is a brave new world for virtual treatment.
Support for LAist comes from
“It’s so interesting — patients are showing me their home environment,” Fong said. “It’s very informative where you get to see how people live and that brings up things to talk about in therapy.”
Fong says for some, expanding telehealth is making it easier to get treated for addiction, and he hopes that will continue well after COVID-19.
GO DEEPER:
COVID-19 Is Changing The Fight Against Addiction
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist