At NorthStar Transitions, we are committed to helping people struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders get on the road to recovery during these troubling times. If you or a loved one is battling an alcohol or substance use disorder, then we strongly encourage you to reach out for help.Experts warn that people living in active addiction may be more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. The same is true for those in recovery who have pulmonary and respiratory health conditions related to years of alcohol and drug misuse. One could make the argument that an inpatient treatment center could be the safest place for an addict or alcoholic right now.If you are following the daily coronavirus reports, then you know that the number of new cases rises exponentially each day. The disease has spread across the United States like an invisible wildfire. As of today, 871,970 Americans have contracted COVID-19, and 50,103 men, women, and children have lost their lives.Globally, 2,745,525 individuals are infected, and there are 193,039 reported deaths. Due to a severe lack of testing both at home and abroad, the figures may be significantly off. Then we must factor in asymptomatic carriers who feel fine but are transmitting the virus wherever they go.
While we understand that the numbers above are disheartening, it’s prudent that we all bear witness and take this pandemic seriously. For some perspective, consider that the U.S. military reported 58,220 American casualties in the Vietnam War.It’s only a matter of days before the coronavirus surpasses the number of people who died in the conflict. It’s worth pointing out that the Vietnam War occurred from November 1, 1955 – April 30, 1975. The first COVID-19 death is believed to have happened on February 6; at least 50,103 Americans have died in 78 days.
The last couple of months have been like no others for anyone alive today sans a handful of people. Some 451,000 people of 7.8 billion living during WWI, when the last pandemic took place, are still alive today. We have never been told to shelter in place or ordered to stay at home. The new normal is something utterly foreign to those living in democracies.It’s only natural that many people in recovery are struggling with fear, anxiety, and depression due to isolation. Long-term recovery is something that happens together; those who attempt to work a program without support are apt to relapse. Isolation is about the worst thing that anyone in sobriety can do—particularly those in early recovery.Since the safest place to be right now is at home, it’s vital that you avoid idle time. One of the most effective ways to combat uncomfortable feelings is by keeping busy. Naturally, there are countless ways to occupy your time productively; reading, writing, starting a new hobby, exercising, and meditating are some examples.Of course, a good portion of your day should be spent on the phone or computer with members of your recovery support network. You can attend meetings via video conferencing platforms and teleconferencing. You can work the steps with your sponsor from afar; it’s not ideal, but it’s what you have at the moment. The key is not to backslide; continued progress is essential.Sometimes you might feel it’s impossible to ward off negative thoughts and get back to a positive headspace. If that happens, then please reach out to a trusted peer for support immediately. After the call, taking a walk will help you reflect on why you are struggling and help you discover ways of coping in the future.
Please contact NorthStar Transitions today to learn how we can help you, or a loved one, break the disease cycle of addiction. What sets us apart from other addiction treatment centers is our commitment to clinical excellence.We utilize innovative, evidence-based therapeutic modalities, and create personalized treatment plans for each client. You can reach us at any time by calling 303.558.6400. We are open for all levels of care and now offer IOP and OP online.
