While there is never the perfect time – or easy time – to get sober, a global pandemic surely doesn’t help. During this time of increased uncertainty and stress while left to your own devices in self-quarantine, it can seem like sobriety is becoming more and more difficult to maintain. If you are struggling to stay sober during Coronavirus, you are not alone. Keep reading for ways to stick together with your support group and tips for staying sober and battling isolation.
Struggling to Stay Sober During Coronavirus?: Virtual Meetings and Support
One of the great things about going through a global pandemic in 2020 is that technology is allowing many people to carry on normally, whether it’s virtual meetings for work, virtual hangouts with friends and family, or virtual meetings for support and staying sober.
It can be easy to give yourself barriers to attending a meeting. Whether you’re tired or stressed from work, are feeling confident in your sobriety, or would otherwise rather spend your day doing something else, it can be easy to skip your meetings and get off track. However, with virtual meetings and Safe At Home measures in place, there is no reason for you to skip your meetings. Now is the perfect time to focus on your sobriety, get the support you need, and get back on track with your program.
Social Distancing Together
One of the many red flags of an impending relapse is feelings of loneliness. Being too lonely can be fuel for the addiction fire, which makes it extremely important that you find ways to lean on your support during this time – even from the comfort of your own couch while in self-quarantine.
- Go on secluded, social-distancing walks around your neighborhood. Even though most hiking trails and parks are closed, don’t let that be a barrier to getting outside. You can still have a good ol’ fashioned walk around the block to get some fresh air.
- Take advantage of programs such as Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime and more to video chat with friends. You’re all in the same boat, why not put on a movie all at the same time and hang out via your laptop or phone?
- Connect with your family in ways you normally wouldn’t. If you’re quarantined with your spouse and children, set up family game nights or dust off those puzzles that have been sitting in the closet.
Tips for Staying Sober During Coronavirus
- Practice self-care. It’s more important now than ever to practice self-care. Let’s face it, you’ve got nothing but time for it! Relax in a warm bath, read a book, watch some funny movies, or do a spa face mask. Take some time out of each day to focus on yourself.
- Accomplish something every day. It can be pretty easy to become lazy when you’re forced to sit at home all day every day for weeks, however, you can still find ways to accomplish things every day. Reorganize your closet, finally weed your garden, paint that room, fix that squeaky hinge, or do some deep cleaning on your baseboards and windows. Set a goal every day, even if it is small.
- Help where you can. Even though it is best to stay at home during this time, you can still reach out to family and friends to see how everyone’s supply levels are. Offer to go to the grocery store for elderly or at-risk family members or neighbors. Spending some time helping others, even in these small ways, will help you feel more accomplished.
- Eat healthily and stay active. Self-quarantine might seem like the perfect excuse to eat all your favorite snacks and veg out on your couch, and while there’s nothing wrong with that in moderation, it’s important to eat healthily and stay active to keep stress levels low. Do some at-home workouts and cook as healthy as possible during this time.
About Seasons in Malibu
Coronavirus and all of its uncertainty are forcing us all to live in very strange circumstances. The important thing to remember is that life will eventually go back to normal, and we will all get through this together. If you are having an especially difficult time with your sobriety, give us a call. We can help you through this tough time and give you the help you need.
Treatment at Seasons in Malibu is systemic, integrative and client-centered. Our philosophy is grounded in the understanding that in order for the client to heal, the entire system needs the opportunity to heal along with them. The pressure to “fix” the client can become overwhelming and unrealistic if we do not examine the underlying issues, dynamics and environmental influences that might be contributing to substance abuse or ongoing mental health issues. Whenever practical, we try to include close loved ones in sessions and in the entire process of recovering from addiction and/or addressing mental health issues.
It is a priority for us that our life-changing drug and alcohol treatment be available to the people who need it. We are fully familiar with how much strength and courage it takes to pick up the phone and ask for help. Our counselors are invested in your well-being and are ready around-the-clock to guide you or a trusted friend or family member through the initial steps of overcoming drug or alcohol addiction.
With our superior team of clinicians, we are able to succinctly pinpoint those areas of focus which will give the client the most advanced opportunity for success. Our approach towards healing is collaborative, comprehensive and committed.
For more information, visit seasonsmalibu.com
