 |
 |
During the pandemic, seemingly everything was exacerbated, including substance use disorders. This month’s exclusive focuses on addiction’s effect on COVID-19, including seeking treatment during a pandemic.
We welcome your comments at SWTeditor@gvpub.com. Visit our website at www.SocialWorkToday.com, like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter.
— Lee DeOrio, editorial director |
 |
 |
 |
Addiction During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Effects, Warning Signs, & Challenges
By Amy Matton
At some point in their lives, about 10% of Americans will experience drug addiction. This disease makes you feel unable to control your drug use despite negative consequences.
Like many other diseases, addiction worsens in times of stress. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous people have developed new or more intense addictions.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affects Addiction
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, stress ranks among the most common causes of drug abuse and addiction. The COVID-19 pandemic brought a number of significant stressors.
For example, social distancing guidelines have left many individuals lonely and isolated. Unable to connect face to face with loved ones, some people turn to heavy drinking or other forms of alcohol abuse.
Social distancing also poses serious risks for people recovering from addiction. To stay sober, many people rely on support groups, accountability partners, and friends and family. Thus, isolation increases their risk of relapse.
Full story » |
|
 |
Leading Trans Organizations Provide One Year of Free Gender‑Affirming Care for Black Trans Lives
Four of the country’s leading trans-founded and trans-led organizations, Plume, YouAreEssential, For The Gworls, and Point of Pride, announce the first grantees of the HRT Access Fund, a first-of-its-kind effort created in July 2020 to provide gender-affirming care for trans folks in need. The fund has so far raised $50,000 in its initial round—the largest amount ever raised for gender-affirming hormone therapy—all of which will go to support Black trans lives, some of the most vulnerable within the trans community.
Twenty-three Black trans recipients will receive one year of free gender-affirming hormone therapy from Plume, which includes personal consultations, lab monitoring, letters of support, and home delivery of their hormone medications. Prescriptions and travel vouchers for lab appointments will be distributed and covered by the HRT Access Fund.
“Thanks to many generous donors, including the cornerstone donor, For the Gworls, this is the largest amount of funding ever raised for gender-affirming care and it was led by Black trans organizations,” says Soltan Bryce, head of growth at Plume. “It’s a testament to how far the trans community has come in raising awareness around life-saving hormone therapy, especially for those within the Black trans community, who are particularly vulnerable to inadequate resources and limited access to care.”
Read more » |
|
 |
University of Maryland Graduate School to Launch Degree in Vulnerability and Violence Reduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown violence that has simmered below the surface into the foreground: race-based violence, domestic violence, political violence, and beyond. The pandemic has also underscored the lack of trust between individuals, communities, and citizens and governments. The spike in vulnerability created by this global disaster requires new solutions that can only be created through a global, interprofessional, and systemic approach.
To meet this challenge, the University of Maryland Graduate School is partnering with the Centre for Trust, Peace & Social Relations at Coventry University in the United Kingdom to offer a master’s degree and certificate in Vulnerability and Violence Reduction that will launch in Fall 2021.
Violence and vulnerability are seldom researched or taught from a multidisciplinary and comparative lens, which is critical to developing solutions. Students in this innovative international degree program will have the opportunity to explore critical approaches to the understanding of vulnerability and risk within communities challenged by violence.
Read more » |
|
|
|
 |
Private Practices Adapt to a New World
Creativity, patience, and doggedness are a few of the traits helping to see private practice clinicians through this unprecedented time. Read more »
How the Pandemic Is Affecting Those With Substance Use Disorders
Social workers play a key role in helping those with substance use disorders during the recovery process, never more so than during the pandemic. Read more » |
 |
 |
Pride, Progress, and Breaking Down Barriers: LGBTQ+ Cancer Concerns
Many LGBTQ+ individuals with cancer face health care barriers. To support this community, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is helping educate staff on how to respectfully address and care for transgender patients.
Georgia Breaks Ground on New Facility to Help Child Sexual Exploitation Victims
A new Department of Juvenile Justice shelter in Gwinnett County, GA, will house and care for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, reports the Gwinnett Daily Post. |
|
 |
| The nation's top employers and recruiters of social workers advertise in Social Work Today magazine and post their job openings on AlliedHealthCareers.com. Check out the most recent opportunities that have been submitted by employers across the country! |
|
 |
 |
A Secure, Anonymous Résumé Bank
Job Alerts Sent to Your E-mail |
|
 |
| Social workers care about their clients, but rarely do they have time to care about themselves. Show yourself a little appreciation with field-inspired gear from our Gift Shop. We've got the perfect item for every situation from busy days in the office to at-home visits. Check out our secure online shop today or call toll-free 877-809-1659 for easy and fast ordering. |
|
 |
Have
a product, service, or educational program you want to market to social work professionals,
or an open position that you need to fill quickly? Social
Work Today offers many flexible advertising
programs designed to maximize your results. From print advertising
to e-newsletter sponsorships, website advertising to direct
mail opportunities, Social Work Today helps achieve your goals. Email our experienced
account executives today for more information or call 800-278-4400!
Jobs.AlliedHealthCareers.com is the premier online resource to recruit social work professionals.
Post your open positions, view résumés, and showcase your facility's
offerings all at Jobs.AlliedHealthCareers.com! |
|
|
