Date of Conferral

11-5-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Jay Greiner

Abstract

There has been a spike in overdoses in the United States resulting in approximately 100,306 deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic began with overdose results from men in opioid and fentanyl abuse with a shortage of resources for substance use disorders and mental health. Families across the U.S. have been affected with the social problem of substance abuse disorders for many years due to environmental and biological constructs due to loss of jobs, housing, limited childcare, and exposure to drugs and alcohol at an early age. The present phenomenology qualitative study explored counselors’ experience working with male clients who abuse opioids and have received substance use treatment and relapsed with anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study sought to understand increased anxiety and depression caused by the pandemic has led to social distancing, shortage of staff, and guidelines set from the government to restrict patients from overcrowding facilities. Eleven counselors were interviewed as to their experiences working with male clients between the ages of 18 to 65 who were treated in rehabilitation centers in the COVID-19 pandemic for relapse of opioid abuse and diagnosed with anxiety and depression. The results from the analysis demonstrate that the social problem of opiate abuse and relapse existed during the COVID-19 pandemic with heightened anxiety and depression. The social problem still continues to exist; however, individuals are still concerned if another pandemic may happen again. The communities and government officials are working to implement positive social changes to help relieve individuals in case another pandemic may arise.

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