Have you ever watched footage of a natural disaster on the news and wondered how the people affected were going to pick up the pieces? Whether it’s floods washing away houses and cars, fires destroying entire neighborhoods, or tornados wreaking havoc for miles, the sheer amount of money and time that is needed to rebuild is overwhelming. People lose their homes, their livelihoods, their means of making it work – it can be too much for even the most stalwart person. Have you ever wondered, then, what happens to people with drug and alcohol abuse problems after disasters?
The obvious is that such as stressful event can lead to relapse. It’s understandable enough, especially if your substance abuse was a way of dealing with stress or mental health problems to begin with. You find yourself homeless, jobless, with no transportation, nothing to your name but the clothes on your back – it’s doubtful that anyone would truly be surprised if you returned to your substance use. The problem is, it’s only going to make things worse in the long run. If you’re intoxicated all the time, you’re not going to be able to search for work, and you certainly won’t look like the most appealing candidate for what little jobs there might be. You’re also at increased odds of pushing away family or friends, who you’re going to need to help you get through tough times. It’s also going to interfere with your sleep, which is important for everyone, but particularly those dealing with heavy stress.
During Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, drug users actually refused to evacuate in order to stay close to their dealers. There were more instances of people sharing needles when they couldn’t obtain new ones, increasing the risks of HIV and hepatitis. People who missed doses of methadone turned to the streets to find drugs that would keep withdrawal symptoms at bay.
If you do convince yourself to stay on the road to recovery, keeping with the program might present its own challenges. Odds are that if your entire neighborhood has been affected, the place where you attended AA meetings or your therapist’s office might not be in operating order.
One solution that states or even cities can put in place is preparedness measures for people with substance use disorders. For example, before Hurricane Irma hit Florida in 2017, a needle exchange program in Miami distributed extra syringes, assuming that they might not be able to operate for a while. Meanwhile, patients at methadone clinics were able to pick up medication in advance because Florida, in cooperation with the federal government, allowed clinics to provide up to five days’ worth of medication ahead of the hurricane.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
