These times of a rapidly spreading viral pandemic, necessary “social distancing,” and the possibilities of the physical sickness and even death of loved ones (or even one’s self) from the coronavirus have many feeling a sense of anxiety, fear, social isolation, loneliness, and panic.
For some like me, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, these times can also be a “trigger” that could result in a relapse into active drinking or drug usage; the last thing that could possibly be useful to my well-being right now.
A personal example: Given the shortages of necessary household items and the fact that I am running low on hand-sanitizer, I have considered going to the liquor store to buy grain alcohol in order to make homemade cleaning products and hand sanitizer.
If I were to do so, I know full well that could lead to a place that I don’t ever want to return.
(And besides, I am not running that low on hand sanitizer, to be honest about it.)
Danae King of the Columbus Dispatch reports on some of the alternatives available to members of 12-Step Programs: online Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous meetings:
As people are increasingly told to stay home, 12-step organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous that rely on in-person group meetings are turning to virtual meetings.
Megan still feels the emotional connection to her fellow Narcotics Anonymous members while meeting online, but something is missing.
“You get a hug when you come in the door to an NA meeting, from multiple people. I forgot how important that aspect is,” said Megan, a local member of the 12-step group.
Still, central Ohio members such as Megan — who are addressed by their first names to protect their identities — are getting used to the 13 new virtual meetings that have replaced the roughly 100 usual weekly meetings in the area as extra precautions are taken because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Below is a listing of some of the resources that are available for those in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction including online 12-Step meetings and recovery programs that do not adhere to the 12-Step model.
List of Some Resources for those with alcoholic/drufg addiction problems
Statement from the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
AAIntergroup.org- A listing of online AA meetings
Narcotics Anonymous World Services statement Reagarding Coronavirus
SMART Recovery
RefugeRecovery.org
AA Agnostica- (this is a website for semi-regular postings and comment threads about AA primarity for AA members who are atheist and/or agnostic.
AlAnon/Alateen Family Groups
This list is far from exhaustive of the resources available for those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction at this time: you can list other resources in the comments.
A Final Note: I have been in comment threads here at Daily Kos and other places where the discussion of the attributes and demerits of some models of recovery have been intensely discussed and has even led into pie fights (particularly those of the 12-Step model).
This is NOT the comment thread for those type of discussions. I am asking that such discussions/comment threads not become a part of this comment thread.