June 4th, 2009

Reports the Patriot-News:

In the economic downturn, some people who treat addictions are seeing a rise in demand for their services.

“There’s a lot of fear and a lot of anxiety. When those emotions come into play, people feel out of control, and they try to manage their emotions by eating too much, drinking too much,” said Paul Hokemeyer, a therapist with Caron Treatment Centers.

That drink of alcohol, that taste of sugar, that sex or shopping or Internet porn brings a sense of calm, he said.

“It calms you down instantly. You don’t have to sit with the emotion.”

…

“We do know that a poor economy has an impact on drug and alcohol addiction problems. Research shows that the demand for services to treat addiction goes up in tougher economic times,” said Stacy Kriedeman, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health.

Robin Dougherty, intake coordinator for the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Lower Paxton Twp., said clients tell him that life spiraled out of control after they lost jobs or insurance or benefits, so they began drinking or using drugs as an escape.

Dougherty said calls are up by 20 percent over a year ago. But like other professionals, she said it’s difficult to say whether the increase is all due to the economy, because their facility recently expanded.

…

A month ago, Hokemeyer gave a seminar on the economy and recovery from addictions. “We had more people than we ever imagined would show up. It’s just in the air. The anxiety is in the air. You can’t go anywhere without hearing about it,” he said.

Read more at the Patriot.