Resources are available for those struggling with addiction, recovery

The Lorain County Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board is providing resources to help mitigate possible new risks to people in active addiction and long-term recovery during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“Your loved one may be more at risk of dying of an accidental overdose now, because of a combination of factors related to the pandemic,” said Elaine Georgas, interim executive director of the MHARS Board in a news release. “We are especially concerned about people on their recovery journey who are isolated, and might be exposed to illicit drugs with highly dangerous, unknown components while they are also experiencing withdrawal symptoms or reduced tolerance.”

Initial data through the local law enforcement New World system shows incidents of overdose increased slightly in March, and then increased threefold in April, with May following the same trend, according to Sarah Reinhold, the MHARS Board First Response project manager and data analyst.

Georgas notes ways to help a loved one in active addiction and recovery, including:

• Connect with support for all family members through Let’s Get Real Inc., to learn how to help a loved one in active addiction or in recovery from a substance use disorder: 440963-7042. Also ask about online recovery groups.

• Sit with your loved one while they call the local addiction helpline to seek treatment, available 24/7: 440-989-4900.

• Ask all friends, loved ones and colleagues to add the Crisis Text Line to the contacts list in their phone: 741741.

• Request a free Narcan rescue kit from Lorain County Public Health by visiting www.loraincountyhealth.com/opioids. Narcan is a medicine that may reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug like Percocet, Vicodin, morphine, Demerol, heroin and Oxycontin.

Request a free medication disposal pouch to safely remove old or unused prescriptions from your home medicine cabinets, by contacting 440282-9920.

So far in 2020, 41 deaths by overdose have been recorded in Lorain County, according to the release.

Georgas notes that in the wake of national or collective tragedy or distress, like that of a major health crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of substance use often increase, along with other behavioral health challenges like depression or PTSD.

Services are available through the non emergency Navigator line at 440-240-7025 during regular business hours.

The crisis hotline is available at 800-888-6161.