Now Is the Time

If you’ve been worried about your drinking or drug use, you might find yourself wondering whether it’s better to seek treatment now or to wait until the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has passed. While we understand your concern, the team at St. Joseph Institute for Addiction’s Pennsylvania residential drug and alcohol treatment center firmly believes that now is the time to start your recovery journey.

In this post, we’ll outline some of the factors to consider as you’re thinking about the need for addiction treatment. If you have any additional questions, we urge you to contact us to speak to a trained addiction treatment specialist.

Continued Substance Abuse Weakens Your Immune System

If you’re worried about the risk of coronavirus infection, it’s important to remember that substance abuse wreaks havoc on your immune system. Continuing to abuse drugs or alcohol will make you more susceptible to any type of infection and increase the risk of complications if you do contract COVID-19.

Damage to your immune system takes time to heal, but the first step is to go through the detox process. Then, following a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly will promote continued healing. This wellness-focused lifestyle is an integral part of the treatment provided at St. Joseph Institute for Addiction.

Addiction Is a Progressive Illness

Addiction is a chronic, progressive illness. Even if you believe you have things under control now, your condition will deteriorate without treatment. Early intervention keeps you from experiencing a crisis moment like an overdose or substance-abuse-related arrest. Each day you wait to get help puts you at risk.

For many people, it’s useful to think of addiction as being similar to type 2 diabetes. When high blood sugar levels are discovered and dealt with promptly, the condition can be managed with diet and exercise. When a person doesn’t have access to early intervention or chooses to ignore the advice of their healthcare provider, they end up needing insulin shots and risking severe complications such as blindness, kidney failure, and stroke. Early intervention increases the odds of a positive outcome. The same is true for addiction treatment.

It’s Impossible to Predict How Long the Pandemic Will Last

Public health experts are doing their best to control the coronavirus pandemic, but there are multiple variables to consider, and our understanding of the virus is still evolving. Many people believe COVID-19 infections will continue to be a problem until we have an effective vaccine, but developing a vaccine takes time.

Putting off entering treatment until COVID-19 no longer dominates the news is risky. While we don’t know how long the pandemic will last, we do know that untreated addiction places you at risk each and every day. Taking concrete steps to get the treatment you need is the smart choice in this time of uncertainty.

If You’re Feeling Anxious or Depressed, Rehab Provides 24/7 Support

Across the US, people are reporting an increase in anxiety and depression related to the coronavirus pandemic. If you’re struggling with your mental health more than usual during these uncertain times, you are not alone.

It’s common for people with substance use disorders to turn to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate anxiety and depression, which only serves to create additional problems in their day-to-day lives. When you’re struggling with mental health issues, you need access to comprehensive care. In a residential addiction treatment program, you’re surrounded by a team of experienced professionals who can provide 24/7 support for co-occurring mental health disorders.

The Controlled Environment of Rehab Is One of the Safest Places to Be

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, experts recommend isolating yourself at home as much as possible. However, this advice doesn’t take into account the fact that you’re not likely to be following all necessary cleaning and sanitation measures while you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

A rehab facility staffed by trained medical professionals is a controlled environment where all precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus. As an essential business, St. Joseph Institute for Addiction will continue to remain open throughout the COVID-19 crisis. We are implementing new screening procedures for incoming clients to ensure the safety of everyone in the facility and are conducting virtual visitation with family members to reduce the number of people entering and leaving the facility each day. We are also increasing our cleaning and sanitation efforts in line with the CDC’s recommendations. Don’t put off rehab any longer. If you’re ready to start building the foundation for lasting sobriety, we’re here to help.

To learn more about SJI residential rehab in Pennsylvania, and our programs, please contact us at (888) 352-3297.