Getting through addiction recovery is difficult in regular times. Many people working to stay sober gained strength from connections with others. Those bonds become critical when you are at a low moment and need someone to help you avoid relapsing. The coronavirus pandemic made what was already a difficult time even more challenging. Let’s look at some ways of dealing with addiction recovery while the world deals with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Finding New Ways to Connect
Attending meetings and other support services is how many get through recovery. Suddenly, group meetings and any in-person contact became ways you could potentially become infected or pass on the virus to others. Even with a vaccine, you still need to watch out for your health and that of others.
The resulting isolation can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, which can have negative impacts on your addiction. The combined worry about staying sober and avoiding getting sick can inflame old temptations. It’s easy to see how the situation can lead to a relapse. Dealing with addiction recovery and COVID-19 is not an easy situation.
If you can’t get to a meeting because of concerns about COVID-19, find different ways of checking in with your support system. Video, phone calls, and texts go a long way toward helping you feel less isolated. Don’t be afraid to open up about your feelings. Others may recognize if you are in crisis, even if you can’t see it for yourself. That can be the encouragement you need to seek additional treatment before a relapse occurs.
Accepting Reality
Sometimes the isolation becomes too much to bear, and we do give in to our demons. If that happens, avoid self-recriminations. Do not let feelings of shame or embarrassment keep you from telling someone you trust about what happened. Secrets can be what keep us locked in a cycle of substance abuse.
Addiction recovery during COVID-19 is hard for even those who have been sober for years. If someone contacts you for support after a relapse, give them the same care you’d want for yourself. Try to remain supportive and encouraging. People need to feel that there is still hope and that they can pull themselves back together.
Find a Safe Space To Get Help
If you do relapse, reach out to your doctor or addiction specialist and let them know what happened. Be honest about the details, even if they don’t make you feel good about yourself. Having a complete picture of what’s occurred allows addiction professions to recommend the next steps.
They may recommend that you seek help at an addiction rehab center like Midwest Detox Center. Look for a place that adheres to strict COVID-19 protocols to keep clients safe. Detox services can help you manage withdrawal symptoms while you receive therapy services like:
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Individual therapy
The sense of routine provided at Midwest Detox Center can help get you back on the recovery path. They address every aspect of your illness, including going over the impacts of COVID-19 on your ability to remain healthy. Our staff offers additional techniques and strategies to help clients manage the isolation they may feel.
Many support groups offer virtual support that you can connect to once you leave treatment. Stay engaged with your network of friends, family, and others in your support network to help you remain sober.
Find Addiction Help During COVID
Midwest Detox Center adheres to the highest protocols to keep clients safe and healthy while they receive treatment for issues like:
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need help managing addiction recovery and COVID-19, call Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392, or contact us online for assistance.
