Finding Support During A Stay-At-Home Order
Tons of people are stuck at home and dealing with addiction on their own. However, addiction, like domestic abuse and depression, thrives in isolation. You have no one to criticize or point out the state of your body whenever you pick up your drug of choice. It gives many addicts the freedom to use as they please.
Many leaders within the recovery community worry that the volume of overdoses during and immediately after the stay-at-home orders will be devastating. There are also suspicions that the number of people abusing is quietly rising while people are at home. Doctors aren’t questioning refills on prescriptions as their focus is drawn to other needs within the medical community.
The Benefits of an “Anonymous” Meeting
One of the most disastrous things to come with the stay-at-home order for addicts is the loss of anonymous meetings. The pandemic having gatherings closed has made it so that people cannot turn to their community for support during their recovery. As the pandemic has everyone on thin ice mentally, for addicts, this is especially hard. Without the proper support and coping mechanisms in place, people, even years into their recovery, are likely to relapse.
From Narcotics Anonymous, many you can participate in web or phone meetings where you dial into a number or login. You can remain anonymous, follow the structure of the meeting, and get support when you need it most. Many local chapters have these meetings available as well, so you can have them with familiar faces. The benefits aren’t just that you can keep the information you want to yourself while sharing with others who can sympathize and won’t share it.
When attending an anonymous meeting, NA, or any other chapter, you have a group of people who know the system. The structure and system help people along with recovery because it’s a constant. For family members too, people rely on these meetings to understand and devote themselves to other people’s recovery by ending their enabling behaviors.
Is the Pandemic Making it Harder to Stay Sober?
Absolutely. People around the country are speaking with radio stations, newsgroups, and their healthcare providers about staying sober. Many people enjoy meetings because they allow face-to-face contact. That’s not possible online. One woman reported that the entire point of the meetings was the ritual of going. That it was about being social.
Staying home increases feelings of anxiety, depression, and some with dual diagnosis can’t access their medication. Isolating people is good for the benefit of all when it comes to the coronavirus. But, what is it doing to the people who are struggling through their recovery during the Opioid Epidemic? There is a lot of good work being undone at this moment, with the medical community having very little access to people that need help.
Can You Call Your Local Through An Outpatient Treatment Center
While it’s not the same, there is treatment available for people who are on stay-at-home orders. Outpatient centers for years have helped people recover while handling their daily lives. Now, these treatment centers have to work extra hard to reach their patients and help new patients. Perhaps the biggest struggle that they’re facing is getting people into detox.
They’re even going so far as to make sure people understand the risk of detoxing without medical support. Opioids and even alcohol can be deadly to come off without medical aid. During a normal situation, addicts seeking recovery assistance can check into detox and have ready access to doctors and nurses. There the person is under observation and often is as comfortable as is possible during detox.
Remote Addition Support – Does it Work?
This remote addiction support is very new and unconventional. However, many people who experience crippling depression, social anxiety, or agoraphobia may find it very effective. People often use to quell their anxieties, and going to a meeting can spike those anxieties. Getting remote addiction support may expose unexpected results after the initial review of the effectiveness.
Build Accountability with Rehab Carolinas
Rehab Carolinas is an outpatient treatment center for the Charlotte, NC community. Drug use doesn’t stop because the stores shut down, and courts close. Instead, people are left in isolation with nothing more to do than to sit at home with their thoughts. The thoughts of an addict are repetitive, compelling, and compulsive. It’s not unreasonable that you need more help now than ever.
Are you struggling with addiction during a stay-at-home order? Call Rehab Carolinas and plan out your recovery or continue your good work on your sobriety.