Who knew how much the Stay At Home Order would affect our substance abuse recovery?

Over the past month, we’ve all had a lot of time to think, pray, and reflect on the implications of our current situation. As of this writing, we have been under quarantine for one month, and I was reminded of this moment today:

After the last in-person 12 Step meeting I attended before the stay at home order, one of the regulars in the meeting joked, “I’m not sure what’s worse for us alcoholics, to risk getting COVID-19 by attending meetings or to risk drinking by not attending meetings.”

It was a sullen half-joke. We both chuckled, but in the back of our minds we thought of the countless alcoholics and addicts around the city, country, and world who would struggle in this unprecedented situation. In a very real sense, we both knew that access to recovery resources is a matter of life and death for many. We exchanged phone numbers with one of the newer members of the group and went home.

It’s been over a month since that moment, and at the time, none of us in that meeting realized how long this quarantine would last. We also didn’t realize how serious this pandemic would be.

A friend of mine recently wrote an article in which she indicated that she had spent her entire recovery fighting her natural desire to isolate. How ironic that, for our own good, we are now being directed to isolate! As a recovering person, that sentiment really resonated with me.

However, a few questions that have come up over and over throughout this process:

• What are the newcomers to recovery going to do? (I couldn’t imagine having 30 days sober at this moment in time)
• Are the drug & treatment programs even open right now? (Yes, they are on the essential services list)
• Is it even worth it to see drug and alcohol treatment right now? (Hint: yes, it is)
• My son or daughter is using drugs; how am I supposed to help them with everything shut down?

I’ve noticed that while there has been a lot said about the struggles of the recovering person, I haven’t seen very much said about the solutions that are still available to us and to our families. For that reason, I’ve decided to compile a list of resources that I KNOW are available to each and every one of us, right now:

COVID-19 Stay At Home Order Alcohol & Drug Recovery Options For the Newcomer & The Recovering Person:

• Recovery meetings (12 Step and otherwise) are available virtually over Zoom, GoToMeeting, Skype, and other platforms. You can find links to those resources…
  • here (Alcoholics Anonymous),
  • here (Cocaine Anonymous),
  • and here (Narcotics Anonymous).
  • Also, the Pathway Program is running 18 virtual 12 step meetings per week for youth. Contact Us for more details.
• Treatment centers are still open. As an essential service, in-person and virtual IOP’s are open. Please, please, please do not hesitate to seek treatment for yourself or a loved one who needs it during the COVID-19 crisis.
• You’re probably carrying an $800 recovery supercomputer in your pocket right now. Your phone is your friend. Call your safety nets, sponsors, and friends. Share, laugh, cry, do whatever you need to do. If you don’t have phone numbers, Alcoholics Anonymous help lines are up and running. You can also call SAMSHA’s helpline 1-800-622-HELP (4357).

Resources For the Parents of recovering (or using), teenagers, young adults, or loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• The Pathway Program is holding virtual parent support group meetings for parents of drug using teenagers and young adults weekly. Please contact us for details.
• PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) is holding phone meetings almost daily.
• Al-Anon is holding tons of phone in meetings.
• As stated above, many treatment centers are still open. Just because the pandemic is happening doesn’t mean that addiction stops. Call us to find an appropriate treatment option for you or your loved one (even if you’re not in our age or geographic range, we’ll work to connect you to the appropriate resources).

Tools for anyone Affected by Drug Use or Recovery During This Time

The stay at home order has forced me to be reminded that, as we say in recovery, happiness is an inside job. Here’s some things that any of us can do:

• Finish some Stepwork. You know the inventory you’ve been putting off? Yeah, THAT one. Go ahead and write it.
• Write a Gratitude List.
• Read Page 60-63 in the Big Book – or any other of your favorite passages. 

My challenge to recovering people & families over the next week:

• Utilize ALL of the recovery tools listed above that apply to you.
• Write your own gratitude list. You might be surprised what you come up with.
• Do all things with love.
• Follow Rule 62: DON’T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.