While the federal and state governments have introduced several policy changes to make substance use disorder treatment easier to access during the COVID-19 pandemic, preliminary numbers appear to show that people in need of treatment may still be falling through the cracks. This gap in access to SUD treatment is particularly concerning given the effects that the economic downturn has on individuals’ behavioral health:
“Several local health departments in California as well as emergency rooms participating in a statewide treatment effort are seeing signs that fewer people addicted to drugs are receiving treatment since the pandemic reached California. The Public Health Institute’s CA Bridge Program reported 35% fewer people with opioid addictions in emergency rooms, dosed nearly 48% fewer people with medication to treat withdrawal and recorded 24% fewer people attending follow-up appointments, comparing April to January.”
You can read the full article here. You can also access the Health Consumer Alliance’s COVID-19 resource page for more information on how to access substance use and other behavioral health services in California during the COVID-19 pandemic.
