WATCH – YET, THERE IS SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR –

Feb. 4, 2021 – They say increased isolation and dwindling access to support has been a huge blow to those in recovery. 

“We have a pandemic within a pandemic happening,” Ryan-Gimenez said.

In 2018, North Carolina’s opioid overdose rate dropped for the first time in 5 years. The pandemic has shattered that progress.

“Suicides are up 1,000%, mental health calls are up 850%, overdoses are up 33%, alcohol sales are up 250 to 300%,” Ryan said. “Prescriptions for anti-anxiety meds, Xanax, sleeping pills are up 63%. There are not enough people talking about this at all.”

Rehab.com has seen a 383% increase in people seeking treatment options.

But rehabilitation facilities haven’t been immune to the pandemic’s financial blow.

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