Drexel University is offering a virtual presentation tonight for their Fall Distinguished Psychology Alumni Lecture Series on Wednesday, November 11, from 5:30pm-6:30pm, to be delivered by Deni Carise, Ph.D.

Dr. Carise is a Double Dragon, having earned her bachelor’s degree and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Drexel/ Hahnemann University. She currently holds the title of Chief Science Officer at Recovery Centers of America. https://recoverycentersofamerica.com/about/leadership/deni-carise/

Her talk is titled: The New “Triple Threat”: Methamphetamine, Opioids and Covid-19

Summary: Lethality, availability and use of stimulants have greatly increased in the US in past years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that overdose deaths have more than tripled for cocaine and increased nearly five-fold for methamphetamine since 2012. With more than 100 deaths every day in this country attributed to opioid overdose, there is understandable – and much appreciated – attention to this issue. A significant increase in overdose death rates from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and its analogues make it very clear that we must continue to address the threat from the opioids in this country. These two major drug problems, and our field, are now impacted by an unprecedented 3rd threat in this country, that of the Covid-19 pandemic. At the time of this writing, more than 8 million Americans have tested positive for Covid-19 and over 220,000 people have dies of this disease.  Individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) or those in recovery may find COVID-19 and the non-medical impacts of COVID-19 more difficult than the general population.  Individuals with SUD are more vulnerable to getting COVID-19 and more likely to have severe cases when they do get it.  There has been an increase in substance use for those with a period of remission, particularly those with 3-12 months in recovery.  Social isolation has led to increases in depression, anxiety, domestic violence, and other mental health disorders.  With this “triple threat” of opioids, stimulants, and Covid-19, we need to rethink how we assess, support, and deliver treatment to those with SUD.  This is particularly true for cocaine and amphetamines as there is no “gold standard” of treatment and no effect medications available.