This story was reported and written by Radio IQ.
More Virginians are being diagnosed with substance abuse disorder, according to a report from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. The trend started during the pandemic, and it reflects a number of important issues policy makers may consider in the future.
Virginia hospitals saw an 11% increase in substance abuse disorder diagnoses, from about 57,000 a year to 64.000, over the last 5 years according to the new report.
Julian Walker with the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association told radio IQ it shows an important trend: “Rising demand at a time when there’s workforce challenges.”
The increased demand, according to VCU professor and addiction specialist Dr. Monica Melmer, reflects a better understanding of addiction in the shadow of increased substance abuse during the pandemic.
“We are doing a much better job of making this diagnosis that was probably there in the years preceding it, but it probably wasn’t in the forefront of our minds,” Melmer told Radio IQ. “Our healthcare force is well aware and prepared to make this important diagnosis, especially in the inpatient setting.”
Melmer said both state and federal medical training requirements changed in the last few years to help doctors better spot addiction issues; that's led to more people getting treatment. But the damage to the medical workforce during the pandemic means there are fewer folks available to do the work.
That’s where certified peer recovery specialists like Mercedes Goering come in. Goering started her own recovery journey during the pandemic, went through treatment and, after years of success, was offered the job with VCU’s Rams in Recovery to help guide others.
“We as people in recovery are uniquely qualified to support someone who is seeking recovery,” Goering told Radio IQ. "I try and take that into my work everyday: I’ve been where this person is.”
Walker said Peer Recovery Specialists are one part of fight against addiction, and policy makers should view stories like Goering’s alongside a broader need to secure more medical staff to address increased demand in the future.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
