The number of people seeking help for alcohol and substance use has risen along with the stress caused by the coronavirus.
Herb Trix reports.
Mary Petersen is the Chief Operations Officer of UnityPoint Health's Robert Young Center which is affiliated with the Center for Alcohol and Drug Services, known as CADS.
She says at the beginning of the pandemic, the number of people making appointments dropped 70%. But then in May and June, people started calling and going to Emergency Rooms to find help.
For all of 2020, Petersen says the total number of people needing help with alcohol and substance use increased 28%, compared to the previous year. But there is hope, and help is available.
She encourages anyone who's struggling with addiction to call the Center for Alcohol and Drug Services. Assessments can be done right away in person or virtually using telehealth.
CADS and the Robert Young Center work together and serve children, teens, and adults who live in Illinois and Iowa.
For an appointment, call 309.779.3000. The 24-hour crisis hotline number is 309.779.2999. The CADS number in Scott County is 563.326.1150.
