Research at the Israeli Center for Addictions reveals: In 38% of patients, addiction worsened, about 13% developed further addiction • "Wave of dealing with depression"
Tens of percent increase in emergency calls. drinking alcohol
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Illustration: Joshua Joseph
The epidemic effect: The Corona has led to a worsening of addictions and the addition of news to addicts, the Israeli Center for Addictions warns.
Clinic data for the treatment of addictions in the center shows that during the Corona, one-third of the patients' condition worsened. One in eight patients (12.6%) developed another addiction to the existing one. 4.2% of addicts added addiction to sleep and sedation, 3.1% began alcohol addiction and a similar rate was recorded for cannabis addiction.
In addition, 38% of patients worsened the current addiction. 31% increased substance use, 14.6% increased cannabis use and 13.5% increased alcohol use. In 6.2% of patients, addiction to pornography increased. The study was conducted in 97 clinic patients.
The data joins a 44% increase in the number of depression referrals in the Corona period.
"The study is the first of its kind in Israel that assesses the effect of social remoteness and isolation on those who are dealing with addiction," says Prof. Shauli Levern, co-founder and academic director of the Israeli Center for Addictions, "it is evident that we are in a wave of dealing with anxiety, depression and addictions. These figures reinforce the importance of increasing the budgets needed to deal with these combined situations, along with access to treatment for the masses dealing with addictions in Israel. "
"Most people are not left with depression and anxiety but are looking for a way to cope, self-care. It's a triangle of depression, anxiety and addiction. And once addiction comes into play, it relieves depression and anxiety for a very short time." Experts from the center contacted the National Security Council, warning: "The significant damage and the wave of addictions will be seen in a few months."
