REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lionrock, the leading telehealth provider of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and lifelong recovery services in the United States, predicts a 25 to 30 percent increase in female admissions to both its Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Outpatient recovery programs during the second half of 2021.
While Lionrock served the highest number of patients in its history in 2020, in early October the company’s admission of women fell an unprecedented 32 percent compared to the month prior and remained down 26 percent through the end of the year. In its over 10 years of offering telehealth behavioral counseling, Lionrock has never seen its enrollment of women drop at that magnitude.
The company attributes the drop to the beginning of the academic school year, which saw millions of children learning from home as school systems around the country struggled to offer safe learning environments due to the COVID-19 surge after the summer.
865,000 women left the labor force in September 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, a survey conducted by YouGov in partnership with USA TODAY and LinkedIn found that 66 percent of women say they are primarily responsible for helping children with remote learning during the workday. And, a Maryland study found that parents who are stressed by having to help their children with distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic drink seven more drinks per month than parents who do not report feeling stressed by distance learning.
“Our data suggest that women struggling with substance use disorders are putting their children’s needs first and delaying getting help for themselves,” said Peter Loeb, Lionrock’s CEO. “Unfortunately, substance use disorders are progressive and getting help earlier often leads to better outcomes.”
If current trends don’t change, Lionrock predicts an influx of female clients who will be overdue for help in September when, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the COVID-19 vaccine will have been more widely dispensed.
“But people don’t need to wait to get help, even if they’re at home with their kids,” added Loeb. “Lionrock’s online counseling is available on the patient’s schedule and is completely private.”
The Coronavirus Pandemic has been especially challenging for those struggling with substance use disorders or in recovery. The isolation of being at home with limited options for safe social connection has led to an increase in alcohol consumption and relapse rates. But effective treatment and free online support groups remain accessible through Lionrock’s telehealth services. People struggling shouldn’t wait; it’s completely private and more convenient than ever to get help. Lionrock is also the only SUD treatment provider that allows patients to miss their online treatment meetings as long as they are rescheduled, recognizing that people's schedules are often beyond their control.
For more information about online care for substance use disorders, visit www.lionrockrecovery.com.
About Lionrock
Founded in 2010, Lionrock Behavioral Health, Inc. is the leading telehealth provider of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and lifelong recovery services in the United States. Lionrock provides evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders, at the Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Outpatient levels of care, including medication-assisted treatment, and continuing care. Lionrock is accredited by the Joint Commission, employs master-level licensed counselors in most states, and accepts most private health insurance. Lionrock is the only recovery treatment provider to offer both acute treatment services and the lifelong community and support group meetings people living in recovery require to live a positive, sober lifestyle.
