New Approach to Tackle Addiction and Mental Health in a Post-Covid , A mental health disaster is currently emerging that much transcends the Covid Pandemic. Governments spend billions on Covid health and relief programs, yet people with mental health concerns caused by substance abuse are disregarded. covid impact on addiction
To combat addiction among the mentally ill, who are losing the war against substance usage, a new and urgent approach is required. The number of people dying as a result of drug addiction has climbed significantly, surpassing 100,000 in the United States alone in 2021. addiction and pandemic,
Data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics show an increase of almost 30% in drug overdose deaths.
Taking a Different Approach to Addiction
Nelson Quinones, the founder and CEO of The Resilient Mind Network, believes that we urgently need a new approach to the way we think about, look at, and treat addiction: “Drugs do not cause addiction. Unresolved trauma and shame are to blame. We’ll never be able to find the true cause as long as we blame the victim,” Quinones said.
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New Approach to Tackle Addiction and Mental Health in a Post-Covid
Quinones is a life coach, motivational speaker, host of the ‘Beautiful Ironies’ podcast, and author of “Four Into Twelve Gives Three,” a new book about addiction. He’s a crystal meth addict and HIV survivor who overcame his demons and went on to become a certified life coach, assisting others in overcoming their sources of shame and fear, particularly in relation to addiction.
He helps others like himself navigate the maze of addiction, mental health, and anxiety through his Resilient Mind Network, which provides a place where people can find helpful resources, be encouraged by positive messages and interaction with others, and gain insight into the complexities of their addiction.
Addiction is both a biological and a social problem.
According to studies, drug use disorders are chronic medical diseases involving the disturbance of essential brain functions, demonstrating the complex yet deadly link between mental health and addiction. Complex biological and social factors play a role in addiction, affecting and exacerbating psychological issues. It’s complicated even further by the fact that most addicts have diverse behaviors and reactions to substance abuse.
A Step in the Right Direction: Prevention
There are numerous prevention programs and policies in the United States that are based on well-intentioned principles. A good addiction prevention program should improve protection while also reversing or lowering the risk of addiction. It should include concise tools to educate individuals about addiction and drug usage in general, including legal substances.
Above all, each program should concisely address the specific needs of the community it serves. In other words, more money should be invested on preventative initiatives, which have been demonstrated to aid rehabilitation.
The Importance of Recovery Support
Having access to recovery-oriented resources is critical to overcoming addiction and mental health concerns. Quinones’ Resilient Mind Network is easily accessible online, and anyone in need of assistance can get it quickly.
Long-standing recovery support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and different counseling clinics are always in need of financing, and they hope to get some more when Covid spending dwindles. These programs have been shown to assist former substance users and mental health patients in achieving and maintaining long-term wellness.
A Whole-Body Approach
In the United States, holistic approaches to addiction and mental illness are becoming more popular, owing to the non-medicinal treatment methods used by practitioners and support counselors. Focusing on an individual’s well-being, holistic addiction therapies strive to bring the mind, body, and spirit into line. It is used in conjunction with established therapy methods such as exercise, meditation, and strict dietary considerations.
Holistic treatment programs incorporate ‘whole being’ principles in order to target a person’s specific pain areas. Over time, holistic treatment programs have proven to be invaluable resources for addicts and others suffering from mental illness.
“America’s mental health problem is at an all-time high, and the rate of overdoses is increasing at an alarming rate. Current treatments aren’t working, and financing isn’t as readily available as it should be,” Quinones added. “Treating symptoms of addiction and withdrawal with my holistic approach to self-improvement and care has yielded excellent outcomes.” He went on to say, “Holistic counseling worked wonders for me.”
What Makes Funding a Problem?
Treatment programs in the United States have typically relied on limited financing sources such as block grants, Medicaid reimbursement, and state monies. These are intended to provide treatment in conjunction with other needs and services, such as job training and procurement, child protective services, and criminal justice.
The biggest challenge that treatment resource centers and service providers face is dealing with the side effects of treatment. People require housing, child care, security, medical treatment, and employment. While public monies are available for these programs, they are frequently insufficient, forcing providers to rely on private sources of funding and contributions. covid impact on addiction
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One Last Thought
There is no better resource than a recovering sufferer’s knowledge and experience. Nelson Quinones, for example, has played a critical role in reaching out to those in need, using digital media and books to deliver much-needed knowledge and care. With the world gradually returning to normal, it is hoped that attention will once again be drawn to those in need of true assistance.