COVID-19, the Opioid Crisis, Isolation, and Books
The months of stress and social isolation from the Coronavirus pandemic has been a "national relapse trigger" for thousands of individuals in substance abuse recovery. For those wrestling with active opioid or other narcotics addiction, finding help now can be difficult because COVID-19 means reduced hours, cancellation of programs, or closures of facilities. And there doesn’t seem to be an end to the crisis in sight.
Nearly 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2019, compared to the 200,000 American deaths to COVID-19 in the first 9 months of 2020. Both numbers are devastating statistics. And the number of deaths to drug overdoses in 2020 is projected to be sharply higher than 2019. Drug-related deaths impact people of all ages, including teens.
Swallow the Rainbow: A Novel by Khristina Chess is a new release in a small but growing list of YA books about this epidemic that is predicted to claim hundreds of thousands of lives over the next decade. Inspired by the actual storms of April 27, 2011, this novel is the story of Savannah Young, a teen soccer star who is stranded with the neighbors following an outbreak of devastating tornados. The worst part isn’t the car on her roof, the isolation from her friends, or the fact that her mom is missing.
She’s out of pain pills. And when withdrawal sets in, she’s going to get very, very sick.
Why Books?
Despite the tragic toll of the opioid crisis on young people, few YA novels exist that actually feature characters dealing with substance abuse and recovery. Why? Reading these stories gives important insight into understanding how addiction can take hold of friends, siblings, children, or other loved ones and forever change life for everyone.
Reading books about heroine and pain pill abuse can help save lives by illuminating what the symptoms and behaviors of narcotics abuse looks like. Through the dramatic power of story, someone may recognize that something is wrong in their own life or in the lives of one of their friends or loved ones. Reading stories through the character’s viewpoint may also grant an additional level of compassion for someone wrestling with addiction. In the best scenario, holding up a fictional mirror leads someone to seek help.
Khristina Chess is the author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Goodreads and on Twitter.
www.khristinachess.com
Nearly 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2019, compared to the 200,000 American deaths to COVID-19 in the first 9 months of 2020. Both numbers are devastating statistics. And the number of deaths to drug overdoses in 2020 is projected to be sharply higher than 2019. Drug-related deaths impact people of all ages, including teens.
Swallow the Rainbow: A Novel by Khristina Chess is a new release in a small but growing list of YA books about this epidemic that is predicted to claim hundreds of thousands of lives over the next decade. Inspired by the actual storms of April 27, 2011, this novel is the story of Savannah Young, a teen soccer star who is stranded with the neighbors following an outbreak of devastating tornados. The worst part isn’t the car on her roof, the isolation from her friends, or the fact that her mom is missing.
She’s out of pain pills. And when withdrawal sets in, she’s going to get very, very sick.
Why Books?
Despite the tragic toll of the opioid crisis on young people, few YA novels exist that actually feature characters dealing with substance abuse and recovery. Why? Reading these stories gives important insight into understanding how addiction can take hold of friends, siblings, children, or other loved ones and forever change life for everyone.
Reading books about heroine and pain pill abuse can help save lives by illuminating what the symptoms and behaviors of narcotics abuse looks like. Through the dramatic power of story, someone may recognize that something is wrong in their own life or in the lives of one of their friends or loved ones. Reading stories through the character’s viewpoint may also grant an additional level of compassion for someone wrestling with addiction. In the best scenario, holding up a fictional mirror leads someone to seek help.
Khristina Chess is the author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Goodreads and on Twitter.
www.khristinachess.com
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