"Addiction loves isolation"
Bradford charities say drug abuse is at it's all time high due to the pandemic
Last updated 3rd Aug 2021
The isolation of the last year and a half has been difficult for everyone, but it's been especially hard for people dealing with a drug addiction.
Oasis Recovery in Bradford say all their beds are currently full, with a list of people waiting to access their help.
They're calling for people to be placed in safe residential homes whilst they're being treated, to prevent deaths.
"Drug abuse is at it's all time high."
Eytan Alexander, CEO of Oasis Recovery Bradford, part of the UK Addiction Treatment Group of rehabs said:
"It's a pandemic within the pandemic, and it's accelerating, if somebody did have a problem, that's moving faster up the curb, where people do require help.
"Being isolated, that's what addiction wants, it wants you by yourself, alone, feeling miserable."
"It's basically an all time high, following a very, very difficult 18 months. Drug and alcohol abuse and mental health is at it's worse and as a society we need to come together to help the most vulnerable people.
"Being isolated, that's what addiction wants, it wants you by yourself, alone, feeling miserable, so you take something to change the way you feel.
"By definition that we're full with a wait list is significant enough to say well if things aren't improved, then therefore I think, you will see people dying, because this is an illness that kills people."