Our world during the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing with various mandates and regulations, so here’s what you should know about getting treatment at Twin Lakes Recovery Center. Twin Lakes is considered an essential health services provider and, as such, follows all protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With these specifications in place, we continue to treat existing clients and admit new patients.
No Need to Wait for a Better Life
If you or a loved one needs professional care for drug or alcohol use, there’s no reason to delay just because of COVID-19. The uncertainty and challenges presented now create tremendous stress, and if a substance abuse problem already exists, there’s a strong chance it will only get worse while trying to cope.
Let’s examine a few factors that determine treatment intervention.
Alcohol Use Disorder
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines alcohol use disorder (AUD) as a “chronic, relapsing brain disease.” As a result, people develop a compulsion to drink, and will continue to do so, regardless of any negative consequences.
The NIAAA recommends that you answer some specific questions about your behavioral patterns. Your answers—combined with genetic factors, past or current trauma, stress, job loss, financial difficulties, or mental or emotional health issues—hold the key to whether you might have an addiction problem.
DSM-5 Guidelines Regarding AUD
These questions are taken directly from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) guidelines regarding AUD.
In the past year, have you:
- Experienced craving—a strong need, or urge, to drink?
- Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?
- Had times when you ended up drinking more or longer than you intended?
- Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
- Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over the aftereffects?
- Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating? Or sensed things that were not there?
- More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?
- Found that drinking—or being sick from drinking—often interfered with taking care of your home or family?
- Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
- Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
- More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)?
- Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?
If you answered yes to more than two questions, medical professionals issue a diagnosis of mild AUD; yes to four or five questions is considered moderate AUD; yes to six or more questions is likely severe AUD.
Substance Use Disorder
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines drug addiction or substance use disorder (SUD) as “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences.” People frequently use drugs “to feel better, feel good, do better, and due to curiosity or social pressure.” Once again, if there are additional contributing factors such as stress, job loss, mental or physical health conditions, etc., you might have a greater risk for addiction.
NIDA uses the same DSM-5 criteria and timeline as AUD to help you understand SUD. An addiction specialist also determines the severity of SUD based on the number of your yes answers.
How Are You Coping Right Now?
It’s okay to be upset over what’s happening in your life, to your family and friends, with your job or finances, and in the nation. It’s troubling to make a trip to the grocery store and see other businesses boarded-up temporarily—or forever. It’s an ongoing challenge not to be able to see people, do the activities you love, attend church in-person, and other things you enjoy because of COVID-19.
But how you deal with it all is important. If you can answer yes to more than one of the factors below, it might be time to seek professional help.
- Are you choosing alcohol or drugs instead of healthy wellness options?
- Do you feel being isolated presents greater challenges to your emotional or mental health?
- Do you have a history of generational addiction problems, grief, PTSD, or trauma?
- Is your substance use increasing due to family pressure, financial uncertainty, job loss, and other stress factors?
- Are relationships at home strained to the point of continual arguments or fear for your safety?
- Have you tried online support groups but don’t get the help you need?
- Were you planning to talk to a professional about alcohol or drug use before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred?
Even if you have a couple of “yes” responses, it might be time to consider talking with a professional to evaluate your behaviors.
Start Recovery Right Now
You don’t have to wait to hit rock bottom or until the COVID-19 pandemic is over to have the life you deserve. Take some time to learn how rehabilitation works, and make the decision to start your recovery now.
Twin Lakes offers comprehensive and medically-managed detoxification services, individualized inpatient and outpatient treatment, and a quality family recovery program. Our board-certified staff members develop continuum of care plans that reinforce your intention of sobriety, and support you with high-quality continuing care.
We have admissions personnel ready to answer your call any time, day or night. Take this first step to becoming who you want to be.
