As Covid-19 continues to impact the world, a growing number of addiction specialists are growing concerned. They know that a weak immune system caused by substance abuse can impact their clients’ health and recovery. Even worse, it may leave them open to the dangers of this new pandemic. As a result, it is important to understand addiction and your physical health regarding Covid-19.
Drug Addiction and Your Physical Health: Your Immune System
Over the years, studies have helped to confirm what many people expected – addiction and your physical health are tightly connected. This factor is particularly relevant to the immune system because various substances have been found to slow or impact this critical part of your body. For example, cocaine and nicotine have been shown to profoundly affect the immune system and leave many people open to a myriad of dangerous diseases that they may otherwise not experience.
And substances like alcohol, opiates, and marijuana also produce similar effects by enhancing the body’s susceptibility to what medical professionals call “opportunistic microbes.” Currently, there is no “opportunistic microbe” making more of an impact on the world than Covid-19. Unfortunately, this disease is also likely to worsen in people with substance abuse. Their immune system is likely to be compromised by substance abuse.
Why a Weaker Immune System is a Problem
One of the most heartening aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic is the fact that around 80-85 percent of all cases are mild. Most people fight off these symptoms very quickly, as long as they have a robust immune system. However, not everybody has that level of health. Older adults, especially those in their 80s to 90s, are tremendously impacted by this disease. As addiction and your physical health worsens, your risk increases, placing you in a very dangerous spot.
As a result, your symptoms may go beyond the flu-like ones noted by most people – including headaches, diarrhea, high temperature, and more – and may become very dangerous. For example, you may suddenly find it much harder to breathe and struggle to get healthy oxygen levels. Even worse, you could end up developing pneumonia. Pneumonia will cause your lungs with fluid and put you in a hazardous health situation. Thankfully, there are ways that you can boost your immune system to regain your ability to fight this dangerous disease.
Enhance Your Immune System
If you believe that substance abuse has left you open to Covid-19, you may want to get to a rehab center right away. These professionals can nurse you back to health and boost your immune system in many ways. You can also take the steps below to ensure that you get the best possible recovery:
- Stop doing drugs – The sooner you quit, the quicker your body can recover
- Eat healthy foods – If you’ve neglected your nutritional health, eat fruits and vegetables to enhance your immune system
- Start exercising – By working out and losing weight, you can strengthen your immune system and make it easier to fight off disease
- Quit smoking and drinking – If nicotine and alcohol are frequent additions to your drug use, you need to drop both habits ASAP
- Regularly wash your hands – Make sure to disinfect your hands as much as possible to avoid spreading diseases
Recovery is Possible
All of these simple steps should help to make addiction and your physical health an easier battle for you to win. Just make sure to pay careful attention to your overall health. You also need to be willing to work with your rehab specialists. This will ensure that you get the best chances of beating Covid-19. Then, you can get back to living a healthy life once the pandemic is over. Contact Crestview Recovery at 866.262.0531 today.
