Solving major substance use disorder treatment gaps during COVID-19

"As if COVID-19 weren't bad enough during the pandemic, another public health crisis – substance use disorder (SUD) – has gone from bad to worse, while access to behavioral health services is shrinking. As of September, more than half (52%) of community behavioral health organizations have seen an increase in demand for services, and half of those that offer SUD services saw their demand jump in the previous three months. At the same time, due to lack of revenue or pandemic-related restrictions, 65% have had to cancel programs, reschedule, or turn patients away. Nearly 40% of these organizations reported they may not last six months, given the revenue shortfalls." Nishi Rawat is a critical care and emergency physician. She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, "The COVID-19 vaccine won't solve major substance use disorder treatment gaps." (https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/12/the-covid-19-vaccine-wont-solve-major-substance-use-disorder-treatment-gaps.html)