The Deadly Effects Of Social Isolation

By Dr. John Rosa

The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing to the foreground the serious effects of extended social isolation. According to a recent New York Times article, “The psychological effects of loneliness are a health risk comparable with obesity or smoking.” The health implications are as serious as a heart attack. In fact, extended social isolation has been noted to cause heart disease, dementia, depression, and even death. The isolation was meant to help us avoid death due to COVID-19, but it is increasing our vulnerability to the very disease that isolation is meant to help address.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/opinion/covid-lockdown-isolation.html?campaign_id=39&emc=edit_ty_20201208&instance_id=24820&nl=opinion-today&regi_id=74586418&segment_id=46333&te=1&user_id=3e21bfc7edc421f4499d99f53134721a

 

Statistics show that anxiety and depression have spiked during the pandemic. And apparently, there has been an 18% spike in overdose deaths with more than 40 states reporting increases.

Not everyone handles social isolation in the same way. According to an article in Sciencemag.org, a behavioral scientist at the University of Arizona, Chris Segrin says, “It’s important to remember that not everyone is going into this with the same level of mental health. Someone who is already having problems with social anxiety, depression, loneliness, substance abuse, or other health problems is going to be particularly vulnerable.”

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/we-are-social-species-how-will-social-distancing-affect-us

After nearly a full year, I doubt there’s anyone who isn’t feeling the stressful effects of the extended isolation and social distancing. The vulnerable population is growing. It is increasingly important to check in with your loved ones frequently to ascertain how they are handling the stresses. And it’s very important to stay in touch with those family members, friends, and colleagues you know who are more vulnerable. We have to take mental health effects as seriously as we are taking the physical effects. In fact, it turns out that COVID-19 lockdowns dovetail with years of science that shows social isolation isn’t just psychologically harmful to humans, but deadly. The virus has already claimed too many lives. Let’s do everything possible to keep the mental and emotional health of ourselves and our loved ones strong so we can get through this challenging time.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Tells Readers The Effects Of 2020 Will Be Around For Years To Come.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker writes about the long lingering effects of “diseases of despair” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in economic instability, social isolation and constant fear of the unknown.

ROCKVILLE, MD. December 18, 2020: Dr. John Rosa, dynamic speaker, national opioid crisis expert, and co-author of The Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, posted a new article on his website entitled, “Even When 2020 Is Over It Won’t Soon Be Forgotten.”  Dr. Rosa elaborates on the year everyone would like to forget.

 Dr. Rosa writes, “Just about everyone I know agrees that they wish 2020 could be magically erased from their memories.” He continues, “While we, as a species, do tend to move on quickly to the next “it” thing, the negative effects of this year are going to be visible in the world for years to come. Much like the light we see in the night sky from stars that have burned out years ago, the mental health issues ignited in 2020 will be taking their toll long after this year is over.”

As Dr. Rosa explains, “Economic instability, social isolation and constant fear of the unknown are fuel for the “diseases of despair” that include drug addiction, alcoholism and suicide.” He goes on to elaborate, “Our biological adaptive responses are designed to handle stressful situations for short periods of time. But they are not intended to be useful on a long-term basis which is why so many people take to engaging in behaviors that falsely compensate while immersed in long-term stressful situations.”

“Dopamine,” says Dr. Rosa, “is a hormone reward system that gives us the ability to plan and feel accomplished when we complete tasks. It also activates pleasure pathways that guide us to enjoyable things that cultivate life like eating and sex to ensure the survival of our species.” He adds, “During long-term stressful times our ability to produce dopamine is diminished with devastating effects.”

 

Read the entire article at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/even-when-2020-is-over-it-wont-soon-be-forgotten/

 

About John P. Rosa

 Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises Accessible Beltway Clinics, which is comprised of 17 clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating athletes in several universities, NBA, MLB, NHL and USA Olympic Basketball. Creator of 24/7 RnR an FDA approved analgesic cream; a proprietary blend of the most potent materials resulting in the most effective product on the market for pain Relief and aiding Recovery. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Leader in Chiropractic  

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service. Awarded the highest recognitions in Chiropractic Medicine as Fellow of the American Chiropractic Colleges and Fellow of the International Chiropractic Colleges.

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Vice Chair of the Board to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
  • State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Best selling author

Community Leadership:

  • Board member of the National Italian American Foundation
  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit 501c which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction

 

 

 

 

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Even When 2020 Is Over It Won’t Soon Be Forgotten

By Dr. John Rosa

Just about everyone I know agrees that they wish 2020 could be magically erased from their memories. While we, as a species, do tend to move on quickly to the next “it” thing, the negative effects of this year are going to be visible in the world for years to come. Much like the light we see in the night sky from stars that have burned out years ago, the mental health issues ignited in 2020 will be taking their toll long after this year is over.

 

Humans Aren’t Designed To Handle Long-term Stress

 Economic instability, social isolation and constant fear of the unknown are fuel for the “diseases of despair” that include drug addiction, alcoholism and suicide. Our biological adaptive responses are designed to handle stressful situations for short periods of time. But they are not intended to be useful on a long-term basis which is why so many people take to engaging in behaviors that falsely compensate while immersed in long-term stressful situations.

 

Hormone Depletion

Dopamine is a hormone reward system that gives us the ability to plan and feel accomplished when we complete tasks. It also activates pleasure pathways that guide us to enjoyable things that cultivate life like eating and sex to ensure the survival of our species. During long-term stressful times our ability to produce dopamine is diminished with devastating effects.

Serotonin is a hormone that balances mood, well-being and feelings of relevance. When serotonin levels are low, people become anxious, depressed, and experience sleeplessness. When stress becomes chronic and long-term, we produce less serotonin.  stressors cause serotonin levels to become depleted. So it’s no wonder that people are feeling less relevant during these challenging times.  these difficult times we feel less relevant and therefore produce less serotonin.

 

Falsely Produced Feel-Good Hormones 

When we falsely produce the feel-good hormones of dopamine and serotonin with the introduction of drugs, alcohol, or gambling it creates an unconditional feeling of wellbeing. This feeling is short-lived but the causes of feeling bad that drive people to addictive behaviors are not, so we tend to reach for these things to feel ok and as an escape from a crappy reality.

Take Care Of Yourself And Your Loved Ones This Holiday Season

We have been enduring economic instability, social isolation and fear of the unknown since the beginning of 2020. This holiday season is unlike any we have known before. So, I beg of you, please pay attention to yourself, to how you are feeling emotionally and physically. Pay attention to the behavior of your loved ones. Initiate or continue to practice stress-relieving techniques like meditation and exercise. Reach out to isolated and lonely friends and family members. And most importantly, if you are in physical pain, find a non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical way to treat it such as chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and mindfulness.

This year will be over soon, but as I mentioned at the beginning of this piece, it will not soon be forgotten. But I, for one, am going to continue focusing my attention on making a positive impact on those lives that have devastated by addiction and helping change the way these people deal with their pain.

Wishing you and yours a healthy holiday season.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Talks About The Effect A New Wave Of COVID-19 Will Have On Mental Health.

Dr. John P. Rosa, national opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker, writes about the wave of mental health issues that has been building throughout the pandemic and how it is likely to cost even more lives during the upcoming stressful holiday season.

ROCKVILLE, MD. November 2, 2020: Owner of Accessible Beltway Clinics and opioid crises expert, Dr. John Rosa, posted a new blog on his website entitled, “The Holidays, The Winter Wave Of COVID-19, And A Wave Of Mental Health Issues,” in which Dr. Rosa reminds readers that everyone is under more duress than ever going into the holiday season.

Dr. John P. RosaDr. Rosa writes, “I have been anticipating the wave of mental health issues that is growing and looming larger every day.” He continues, “I know, that as this article states, “It’s comforting to think that with precautions like physical distancing, proper masking and — hopefully — a future vaccine, the COVID-19 curve will flatten and, someday, end.” The article also points out that, “However, it’s essential to acknowledge that a second curve, the COVID mental health crisis curve, is already forming. That, too, will cost lives if we don’t make concerted efforts to treat it.”
https://talkbusiness.net/2020/09/covids-second-curve-protecting-our-mental-health/

“With the holidays coming,” Dr. Rosa says, adding, “which are already particularly stressful for many people, and the winter wave of COVID-19 already starting to take its toll, we must steel ourselves to follow protocols more strictly despite the stress.” He emphasizes, “We must all find ways to soothe ourselves for the long-term. We must weigh the real risks involved in going home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hannukah.” He asks, “Is it really worth the added stress to put your elder relatives at risk?” He goes on to say, “If we all play it safe, maybe next holiday season we can return to the closeness of shared meals with loved ones we haven’t seen in a long time.”

 

 

Read the entire blog at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/the-holidays-the-winter-wave-of-covid-19-and-a-wave-of-mental-health-issues/

 

 

About John P. Rosa

Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises Accessible Beltway Clinics, which is comprised of 17 clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating athletes in several universities, NBA, MLB, NHL and USA Olympic Basketball. Creator of 24/7 RnR an FDA approved analgesic cream; a proprietary blend of the most potent materials resulting in the most effective product on the market for pain Relief and aiding Recovery. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Leader in Chiropractic  

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service. Awarded the highest recognitions in Chiropractic Medicine as Fellow of the American Chiropractic Colleges and Fellow of the International Chiropractic Colleges.

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Vice Chair of the Board to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
  • State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Best selling author

Community Leadership:

  • Board member of the National Italian American Foundation
  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit 501c which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction

 

###

 

The Holidays, The Winter Wave Of COVID-19, And A Wave Of Mental Health Issues

By Dr. John Rosa

I have been anticipating the wave of mental health issues that are growing and looming larger every day. I know, that as this article states, “It’s comforting to think that with precautions like physical distancing, proper masking and — hopefully — a future vaccine, the COVID-19 curve will flatten and, someday, end. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that a second curve, the COVID mental health crisis curve, is already forming. That, too, will cost lives if we don’t make concerted efforts to treat it.”
https://talkbusiness.net/2020/09/covids-second-curve-protecting-our-mental-health/

With the holidays coming, which are already particularly stressful for many people, and the winter wave of COVID-19 already starting to take its toll, we must steel ourselves to follow protocols more strictly despite the stress. We must all find ways to soothe ourselves for the long-term. We must weigh the real risks involved in going home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hannukah. Is it really worth the added stress to put your elder relatives at risk? If we all play it safe, maybe next holiday season we can return to the closeness of shared meals with loved ones we haven’t seen in a long time.

Everyone is under pressure now. This is the kind of emotional stress that leads to excessive drinking and experimentation with drugs. The stress on those who are in recovery from drug and/or alcohol use may become unbearable. If you or a loved one is in this group, please do whatever you can to support them and protect yourself during this stressful time.

The warnings are everywhere. According to one article, “COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are increasing again with no sign of stopping, sparking fears that the fall and winter wave experts had warned about all year is already here. Over the past week, according to The New York Times COVID-19 tracker, the U.S. has confirmed an average of 54,000 new cases per day, a 25 percent increase compared to two weeks ago. The surge cannot solely be explained by an increase in testing. https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/521414-as-coronavirus-cases-surge-in-the-us-experts-warn-the-third-wave-has

Be safe. Follow the established protocols. Find soothing activities to help you get through this. The digital age makes everything available online from yoga to meditation and spiritual services of every denomination. Gift yourself and loved ones with chiropractic and massage appointments this year. Strengthening your mental and emotional health can also strengthen your physical health.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Talks About The Impending Mental Health Crisis Coming As A Result Of Covid-19. 

opioid crisis

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker writes about the effects of long-term stress on mental health increasing the risk for self-harm, suicide and substance abuse. 

ROCKVILLE, MD. October 21, 2020: Dr. John Rosa, dynamic speaker, national opioid crises expert, and co-author of The Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, posted a new article on his website entitled, “No One Is Immune To The Growing COVID-19 Mental Health Crisis.”  Dr. Rosa elaborates on the long-term effects of chronic stress and offers tips for self-care.

 As Dr. Rosa points out, “The fear of getting the virus is stressful enough. Add to that the disruption in lifestyle, the social distancing, the inability to travel freely, the quarantining, the mandate to wear masks in public, the inability to go to the office, the unemployment, the financial stress. I could go on,” he says, “but I think you get the point. All of these things add up to tremendous emotional and mental stress.”“A COVID-19-related mental health crisis is building like a tsunami wave,” writes Dr. Rosa, adding, “and it’s going to cost even more lives as it continues to grow.” “Let’s face it,” he says, “life is stressful. Everyone experiences stressful periods. However, when stress lasts for extended periods of time, the effects on mental health can be devastating.” He emphasizes, “The world has been living with the presence of COVID-19 for nearly one year. That’s a long time to live under duress.”

Dr. Rosa writes, “A recent time.com article speaks to the growing concern around this issue. The article states, “While the physical symptoms caused by the virus may disappear in weeks, people will continue to suffer the impact of grief, anxiety and depression for months or even years. In addition to healthcare workers, those most at risk are older people, adolescents, people with pre-existing mental health conditions and those already caught up in conflict and crisis.” “https://time.com/5839553/un-action-mental-health-crisis/

According to Dr. Rosa, “Men and women in recovery from opioid use and abuse are especially vulnerable. Here in the states, as well as in other parts of the world, COVID-19 has led to cuts in mental health services and the closure of many facilities.”

 

Read the entire article at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/no-one-is-immune-to-the-growing-covid-19-mental-health-crisis/ 

 

About John P. Rosa

Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises Accessible Beltway Clinics, which is comprised of 17 clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating athletes in several universities, NBA, MLB, NHL and USA Olympic Basketball. Creator of 24/7 RnR an FDA approved analgesic cream; a proprietary blend of the most potent materials resulting in the most effective product on the market for pain Relief and aiding Recovery. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Leader in Chiropractic  

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service. Awarded the highest recognitions in Chiropractic Medicine as Fellow of the American Chiropractic Colleges and Fellow of the International Chiropractic Colleges.

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Vice Chair of the Board to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
  • State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Best selling author

Community Leadership:

  • Board member of the National Italian American Foundation
  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit 501c which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction

 

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National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Shares Results Of Recent Study Revealing That Chiropractic Care Can Prevent Suicide.

opioid crisis

Dr. John P. Rosa, national opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker share the compelling results of a recent study showing that nonpharmacological treatments, which included chiropractic treatments, significantly lowered the risk of suicide and other adverse conditions.

 ROCKVILLE, MD. August 26, 2020: Owner of Accessible Beltway Clinics and opioid crises expert, Dr. John Rosa, posted a new blog on his website entitled, “Chiropractic Treatment Plays Important Role In Suicide Prevention,” in which Dr. Rosa encourages anyone in chronic pain to keep their chiropractor’s phone number handy.

Dr. Rosa states, “Suicide prevention is just one more among a long list of benefits chiropractic care provides.” He continues adding, “This news has been recently revealed based on research conducted among U.S. Army service members returning from deployment. The motivation for the study was based on the fact that suicide among our returned service men and women has been going up steadily. For instance, between 2001 and 2014, studies show that “U.S. adult civilian suicides increased 23%, while Veteran suicides increased 32%.””

According to Dr. Rosa, “The authors of the study compared 142,539 U.S. Army service members with chronic pain who received nonpharmacological treatments (NPT) with those who did not in order to see if there was a reduction in long-term pain related adverse outcomes. Almost 25% of the participants received chiropractic care, while physical therapy was conducted on 32% of the participants.”

 

Read the entire blog at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/chiropractic-treatment-plays-important-role-in-suicide-prevention/

 

About John P. Rosa

 Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises Accessible Beltway Clinics, which is comprised of 17 clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating athletes in several universities, NBA, MLB, NHL and USA Olympic Basketball. Creator of 24/7 RnR an FDA approved analgesic cream; a proprietary blend of the most potent materials resulting in the most effective product on the market for pain Relief and aiding Recovery. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Leader in Chiropractic  

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service. Awarded the highest recognitions in Chiropractic Medicine as Fellow of the American Chiropractic Colleges and Fellow of the International Chiropractic Colleges.

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Vice Chair of the Board to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
  • State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Best selling author

Community Leadership:

  • Board member of the National Italian American Foundation
  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit 501c which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction

 

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Chiropractic Treatment Plays Important Role In Suicide Prevention  

By Dr. John Rosa

Suicide prevention is just one more among a long list of benefits chiropractic care provides. This news has been recently revealed based on research conducted among U.S. Army service members returning from deployment. The motivation for the study was based on the fact that suicide among our returned service men and women has been going up steadily. For instance, between 2001 and 2014, studies show that “U.S. adult civilian suicides increased 23%, while Veteran suicides increased 32%.”

It is a well-known fact that many people returning from military deployment experience physical and mental health issues, which can include chronic pain, post-treatment alcohol use disorder, drug addiction, depression, thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or any combination. The results of the new study were published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine and concludes that “receiving treatment that is not drug-based can reduce the likelihood of such outcomes in veterans with chronic pain.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31659663/

The authors of the study compared 142,539 U.S. Army service members with chronic pain who received nonpharmacological treatments (NPT) with those who did not in order to see if there was a reduction in long-term pain-related adverse outcomes. Almost 25% of the participants received chiropractic care, while physical therapy was conducted on 32% of the participants.

According to the findings, United States Army service members who received nondrug therapy had a “significantly lower” risk of:

  • alcohol or drug use disorders
  • accidental poisoning with opioids, related narcotics, barbiturates, or sedatives
  • thoughts of suicide
  • self-inflicted injuries, including suicide attempts

Whether you are a veteran of any branch of the U.S. military or not, chiropractic care offers the same life-saving benefits to anyone experiencing chronic pain. So, please, keep your chiropractor’s telephone number handy as you never know when it can save a life.

What Did The Opioid Epidemic Say To The Covid-19 Pandemic

By Dr. John Rosa

“Thanks, man, I was starting to lose traction, but you’re a great dis-traction and I’m killing it again!”

It’s not a joke and it certainly isn’t funny. But, unfortunately, it’s a fact. This has been my greatest concern since the pandemic took center stage back in February. As reported recently at Quartz (qz.com) by geopolitical reporter, Annalisa Merrelli, in an article entitled, Covid-19 is undoing a decade of progress on the opioid epidemic, “experts are worried the progress made so far on tackling the opioid crisis may be jeopardized.” https://qz.com/1889798/covid-19-is-making-the-opioid-crisis-much-worse/

 The COVID-19 pandemic is without question the perfect storm that is allowing the opioid epidemic to spread freely again and take the lives of so many without even being noticed. The isolation, social distancing, uncertainties, and job losses, combined with decreasing support systems, are all well-known risk factors for increasing drug use. For people who have been in recovery, the pandemic provides the perfect excuse and environment in which to relapse.

 

Job Loss And Loss Of Insurance Coverage

Social distancing and isolation aren’t the only reasons that contribute to relapse. Consider the number of patients who find themselves suddenly without insurance who lost coverage through loss of work. It takes time to enroll in Medicaid, which results in loss of continuity of treatment, and ultimately increases the risk of relapse and overdose. And of course, the hardest hit areas economically are the rural and poorer communities where opioid abuse is always higher risk.

 

Opioid Addiction Research Comes To A Halt

 In addition, losing ground in this effort is going to have long-term effects since much research has come to a halt because of the pandemic – especially clinical research. With so many COVID-19 patients to take care of hospitals simply don’t have sufficient to continue their work on opioid addiction research. And, where patients were being studied in prisons, doctors no longer have access due to prisons being closed to external visitors.

Fatal Overdoses Hard To Confirm Under COVID-19 Shadow

In the aforementioned Quartz article, it is stated that medical professionals around the country have seen increases in fatal overdoses. Though according to the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “it’s hard to quantify by how much, because not only does the official data lag behind incidents, but its collection relies on autopsies to confirm overdose as the cause of death. With coroners and pathologists overwhelmed by Covid-19, performing such checks has been impossible in many cases, which will likely result inaccurate data for 2020.” https://qz.com/1889798/covid-19-is-making-the-opioid-crisis-much-worse/

 

One Crisis Overshadowing Another Is No Joke 

The daily deaths throughout the U.S. from COVID-19 is just under 1,000 – around 941. The pre-pandemic daily death toll from OUD (opioid use disorder) was 150. Clearly unimpressive from some perspectives. However, from the perspective of someone who has seen the damage inflicted on family members, colleagues and friends due to opioids, who are not included in the damage or death reports, I think that statistic could be much higher.

Losing a child, a husband, a father or wife, a sister, a mother, or a friend to opioid overdose causes irreparable damage and heartache to those left behind. Some of those loved ones feel like they should have or could have done something to prevent the death. In the case of COVID-19, the killer is an invisible virus. No one knows where it is, who is potentially carrying it. In other words, there’s little notion of having a sense of control involved. Short of following safety protocols that include wearing a mask, staying safely socially distanced and washing hands there’s really nothing much one can do.

The thought that one might have been able to prevent a loved one’s death to drug overdose is equally out of anyone’s control except the person who is addicted. Addiction is as unpredictable as COVID-19 and deaths from both are equally tragic.

I find it even more tragic how the appearance of one crisis can so quickly decimate the progress that’s been so hard-won on another crisis. I have faith though that despite all appearances there will be positive outcomes learned from both of these diseases wreaking havoc on our country and the world at large.

National Opioid Crisis Expert, Dynamic Speaker And Author, Dr. John Rosa Talks About The Explosive Conditions COVID-19 Has Created For Opioid Epidemic.

Dr. John P. Rosa, opioid crisis expert, author and dynamic speaker addresses the isolation that opioid users in general face, and the torturous effects that enforced isolation, caused by COVID-19, has created for this segment of the population and how that has led to an explosive situation.

ROCKVILLE, MD. July 30, 2020: Dr. John Rosa, dynamic speaker, national opioid crises expert, and co-author of The Recipe for Success with Jack Canfield, posted a new article on his website entitled, “The Explosive Combination Of Opioids, Isolation And COVID-19,” in which Dr. Rosa acknowledges the challenges presented are greater than ever.

As Dr. Rosa points out, “Isolation has historically been used as a form of torture around the world.” He continues adding, “We humans need interaction with other humans. We need the warmth of connections, family, friends, colleagues. So when I think about people who have become addicted to opioids that sooner or later isolate themselves from either a life they want or a life they remember, it is another form of torture that is as devastating as the drug itself.”

According to Dr. Rosa, “If someone became addicted because a doctor prescribed opioids instead of treatment or if someone tried it at a party to get high and fell into the trap of using, the dependency usually serves the same mechanism of escape.” He elaborates, “People with a difficult life like the feeling of not caring about that difficult life. People with a great life who get caught up in using become isolated as they continue to cause friction and distance from the ones they love which in turn demands more use.”

“Psychology tells us,” says Dr. Rosa, “that people begin abusing drugs often as a result of being bored and having too much time on their hands. Furthermore, it is known that as abuse progresses into addiction, boredom becomes even more of a factor because the drug actually rewires the brain to receive more gratification from the opioid than from normal activities.”

As Dr. Rosa emphasizes, “COVID has made those susceptible to use opioids much more likely to do so.” He adds, “I look at the opioid crisis as a pile of burning wood that has been sending smoke signals to our country demanding help.

The wood is the susceptible population.

The drying of the wood is the long standing cover up and greed of pharmaceutical companies. The gun powder on the wood pile is the overprescribing by doctors.

The gasoline poured over the pile is heroin and fentanyl

– and here comes COVID-19 walking by and takes that last drag on a cigarette before flicking it towards the pile.”

 

Read the entire article at http://glt.kji.mybluehost.me/the-explosive-combination-of-opioids-isolation-and-covid-19/

 

About John P. Rosa

 Dr. John Rosa owns and supervises Accessible Beltway Clinics, which is comprised of 17 clinics in Maryland and Virginia that sees over 60,000 patient visits per year. ABC Clinics combine medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and behavioral medicine to give a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to pain syndromes and musculoskeletal disorders. Active in sports medicine with consulting/treating athletes in several universities, NBA, MLB, NHL and USA Olympic Basketball. Creator of 24/7 RnR an FDA approved analgesic cream; a proprietary blend of the most potent materials resulting in the most effective product on the market for pain Relief and aiding Recovery. Founder of Accessible Wellness Solutions – an onsite corporate wellness program offering consulting, lectures and management of onsite clinics.

Leader in Chiropractic  

Trustee of New York Chiropractic College for over 15 years serving final 3-year term as Chairman of the Board and given the honor or Board Emeritus post service. Awarded the highest recognitions in Chiropractic Medicine as Fellow of the American Chiropractic Colleges and Fellow of the International Chiropractic Colleges.

Integrative Medicine Specialist:

  • Current Vice Chair of the Board to Maryland University of Integrative Health
  • Consultant on Integrative Medicine to hospital cancer center
  • Reduced opioid prescriptions by 70% by integrating Chiropractic, physical therapy and behavioral medicine in a primary care setting
  • Expert/Speaker – Educating medical community on the Integrative Medicine approach to treating pain

Opioid Crisis Expert:

  • White House Surrogate
  • Law Enforcement Consultant (Homeland Security, CBP, DOJ, DEA and Postal)
  • State and National Consultant to Opioid Task Forces
  • Corporate and professional organization consultant
  • Best selling author

Community Leadership:

  • Board member of the National Italian American Foundation
  • Founder of “Overdose Free America” a nonprofit 501c which uses the power of celebrity and entertainment to bring the Opioid Crisis the visibility and support it deserves
  • Volunteer at Crossroads Freedom Center – a residential facility in Maryland to help overcome addiction

 

 

 

 

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