Staying clean and sober during the COVID-19 pandemic. No small feat right? It doesn’t have to be a major struggle. Let me provide a bit of guidance that may help you to stop and think prior to making bad choices during this uber stressful event.
Stress and anxiety and even panic (we’ve all seen the Facebook videos of people fighting over toilet paper) are at the highest right now due to all this uncertainty, no work, limited supplies and a bunch of changes during the pandemic.
Whether your new to recovery or have a few years under your belt, let me say it can still be a challenge to stay clean and sober, but it doesn’t have to be super difficult. Most relapses are due to some type of stress without an effective coping system in place.
Since we can’t change or control what is happening right now in the world, I want to help you work on learning how to identify healthy ways to cope with the added stress the pandemic can bring and most importantly how to stay clean and sober during this time.
Stressors during this pandemic that can cause you to relapse & ways to avoid that and stay clean and sober
Financial Stress/Job Insecurity
- Focus on what you can change right now
- Call utility companies/credit card/loan companies to advise them of your difficulties
- Consider if a career change is right for you, if so research ways to do so
- Remind yourself when one door closes another one opens
Isolation/Quarantine/Social Distancing
- Self-care is a must (eat right, rest, learn something today or do something you enjoy)
- Limit exposure to the media (just get the basics each day)
- Consider attending an online or telephone 12 step meeting
Lack of Supplies
- Identify the things you do have on hand & make it work
- Create a menu that will work with the food in your home
- Locate local food banks/churches that are providing food assistance (many are doing drive up)
Being around Family 24/7
- Take a break, nap, listen to guided meditation to help calm you
- Loosen the rules (let the kids watch tv, play video games, help them bake cookies etc…)
- Remind yourself this is not permanent. (The government is working on fixing the situation right now)
Fear for the Future
- This situation is out of your control. Stop focusing/obsessively thinking about the future. Stay in the present moment & do what you can do now, which is remain calm.
- Remind yourself the situation is being worked on as you read this
- Take it one day at a time, one moment at a time
This is a horrible, scary situation for everyone in the world, but you know what we can and do recover from addiction and from pandemics. We are resilient that way.
One final note, remind yourself if you get stuck in a negative mindset in which the problems feel overwhelming and that a drink or a pill or a snort of something will help numb the worry, it doesn’t.
The worry will be there when you are not high or drunk. At that point you can add a topping of shame for the relapse on top of all the anxiety. Shame and recovery do not work well together so try to avoid relapse which you can.
Remember friends, recovery is a lifestyle and mindset change. It’s a journey and unfortunately this journey involves the COVID-19 but when we take it one day at a time and one moment at a time, we can and will prevail.
If you find yourself struggling please reach out and click the link to schedule your free 15 min recovery strategy call. There is no reason for you to struggle alone.
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