• About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Methamphetamine Users Are at High Risk of Death from COVID-19

May 7, 2021 Posted by grant Abuse, Abuse, Addiction, Blog

Group of people wearing protective face masks.Highlights:

  • Habitual methamphetamine use can exacerbate the symptoms of COVID-19 because both conditions affect the lungs and heart. 
  • People who struggle with substance abuse that includes methamphetamine are at higher risk for serious complications of COVID-19 because of the respiratory and immune impacts of their use.
  • Stopping the use of methamphetamine is recommended, but the only effective treatment is psychotherapy. 
  • Harris House offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment for methamphetamine abuse.

Nearly 30 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for COVID-19 with symptoms including chest congestion, inflammation, shortness of breath, and secondary pneumonia. Although there are many symptoms of COVID-19 other than respiratory ones, breathing issues are often the most serious and lead to the most life-threatening cases of the virus.

Despite the fact that more than 500,000 Americans have died from the virus, it actually has a mortality rate well under one percent; however, having certain diseases and health conditions called comorbidities raises a person’s risk for serious complications and death from the virus.

Meth Use Raises Risks from COVID-19

People who abuse methamphetamine (meth) already have three to five percent higher death rates than the general public. Those rates rise significantly when meth users get COVID-19.

Meth use, including the use of crystal meth, can lead to greater susceptibility to serious complications from COVID-19. Its use leads to a weakened respiratory system and conditions like COPD, asthma, and cardiovascular complications.

Woman smiling while sitting outside.

Focusing on health and immunity can mean finding freedom from substance abuse.

The same co-occurring conditions are known to have caused worse outcomes in patients with earlier coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

Meth also raises users’ risk of fatality from COVID-19 for another reason: It compromises the body’s immune system by significantly reducing the function of immune cells that can fight off viruses and pathogens. This immune system compromise leaves the body more vulnerable to viruses and other infections and reduces the chance of recovery from disease.

A study published in JAMA using data from the Chinese Centers for Disease Control showed that the case fatality rate for COVID-19 among people with chronic respiratory disease was over six percent, while the overall case fatality rate in China at the time of the study was 2.3 percent.

Treatment for Meth Abuse

There is no current treatment for meth abuse other than psychotherapy. Unfortunately, meth abuse is increasing during COVID-19 because it is cheap and easy to get. Some people are even making meth themselves out of common ingredients. In addition, lockdowns and quarantines are creating greater stress for individuals, leading to more use of dangerous drugs.

Harris House is here for you. If you or a loved one struggles with meth abuse, we can provide compassionate, evidence-based treatment. Call us to learn about admissions to our programs and how we can help.

Share
0

About grant

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
grant has contributed 289 entries to our website, so far.View entries by grant

    You also might be interested in

    Hope for Recovery is Alive!

    Apr 2, 2016

    There is always hope, and always an opportunity for you[...]

    Growing Gratitude in the Garden of Your Mind

    Apr 19, 2016

    You don’t have to pretend that negative things don’t exist.[...]

    How Trauma Affects the Brain

    Apr 11, 2016

    Psychological trauma occurs when it is not possible to process[...]

    Recent Posts

    • A Guide to Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Centers
    • What to Look for When Searching for the Right Rehab Facilities in St. Louis
    • The Benefits of a Holistic Inpatient Rehab for Alcohol Addiction – The Solution You’ve Been Searching For
    • What to Expect from Your 28-Day Residential Treatment Program
    • The Difference Between Intensive Inpatient Therapy (24-Hour Drug Rehab Centers) and Other Facilities

    Insurance Providers

    Substance use insurance coverage and benefits can be multifaceted and will vary with the different insurance companies and plans. The Harris House Insurance Department has experience working with insurance providers to get our clients the maximum benefits possible. Let our staff do the work for you. LEARN MORE

    Insurance Providers Insurance Providers Insurance Providers

    Credentialing Partners

    Harris House is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). Harris House is also certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, approved by the Better Business Bureau as an A+ accredited charity and a proud member of United Way of Greater St. Louis. LEARN MORE

    DMH Carf BBB United Way

    Contact Us

    Let your recovery begin

    We're here to help.

    Please reach out with any questions

    CONTACT US

    314-631-4299

    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate

    Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit > CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

    Harris HouseHarris House
    • About
      • Insurance
      • Credentialing Partners
      • Admissions
      • Dual Diagnosis
      • Alumni Success Stories
      • Careers
    • Treatments
      • Inpatient / Detox
      • Partial Hospitalization Program
      • Intensive Outpatient Program
      • Transitional Housing
      • Family Program
      • Continuum Of Care
    • Resources
      • News & Events
      • Blog
      • Addictions
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
    About Us
    Treatments
    Resources
    Gallery
    Contact Us
    Donate

    For individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, Harris House helps people achieve sobriety and become healthy and productive individuals. Since our founding in 1961, Harris House has grown to become a top-rated non-profit treatment center.

    CALL US TODAY

    314-631-4299

    2706 S. River Rd
    St. Charles, MO 63303

    8315 South Broadway
    St. Louis, MO 63111

    © 2023 HARRIS HOUSE FOUNDATION.

    Prev Next