New York & Bethesda, May 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Health officials have released an update that individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) are at a heightened risk for serious complications from COVID-19, and underscored the importance for individuals with SUD and their caregivers to get vaccinated.
Skipping vaccines in general is more risky if you have chronic health conditions like heart disease and respiratory illnesses, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can make it harder to fight off infection and make complications more severe. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently updated the list of at-risk underlying health conditions for COVID-19 to include substance use disorders. “Having a substance use disorder (such as alcohol, opioid, or cocaine use disorder) can make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19,” according to the CDC.
Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) shared at a recent event on the intersection of COVID-19 and addiction: “I cannot overemphasize how extraordinarily important it is for all of us to get vaccinated, and in particular, individuals with a substance use disorder.”
Why is there an increased risk of COVID-19 infection and complications for individuals with an addiction? Chronic substance use can harm or weaken the body, including the immune system, and make an individual more vulnerable to infection. The effect of certain types of substances used may present greater risks as well, particularly opioids, alcohol, nicotine, methamphetamines present greater risks for patients to develop severe illness from COVID-19.
In response, the Addiction Policy Forum and the Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) has launched a team of COVID Vaccine Navigators that can help individuals with an active substance use disorder, people in recovery, practitioners or family members impacted by addiction determine when and where they can get vaccinated and answer questions about vaccines.
There are several ways to access the Vaccine Navigator project for the addiction community:
- Individuals can submit a support request form and a navigator from our team will reach out to assist you.
- Call the helpline at 833-301-HELP and a navigator will help. Hours of operation are 9am - 5pm ET, Monday through Friday.
- Text 833-301-HELP and our navigators will provide resources and support.
CDC COVID-19 Resources:
- COVID-19 Questions and Answers: For People Who Use Drugs or Have Substance Use Disorder
- People with Certain Medical Conditions
ABOUT FORE
The Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts (FORE) was founded in 2018 as a private 501(c)(3) national, grant-making foundation focused on addressing the nation’s opioid crisis. FORE is committed to funding a diversity of projects contributing solutions to the crisis at national, state, and community levels. FORE’s mission is to support partners advancing patient-centered, innovative, evidence-based solutions impacting people experiencing opioid use disorder, their families, and their communities. Through convening, grantmaking and developing informational resources, FORE seeks to bring about long-term change. To date, FORE has awarded 41 grants totaling $12.6 million.
ABOUT ADDICTION POLICY FORUM
The Addiction Policy Forum is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem. Created to serve patients and families impacted by the disease of addiction, the organization works to end stigma, help patients and families in crisis, improve treatment and prevention, and translate the science around addiction.