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By Geoffrey Booth, Founder, LifeSync Malibu
Addiction recovery relies heavily on the easy access of support sources. Individuals in recovery are accustomed to having multiple resources at their fingertips, with the availability of around the clock meetings, group support, and outpatient therapy. When the lockdowns happened, all that was swiftly tabled until new accommodations could be made. But like the saying goes, “necessity is the mother of invention.”
In what seemed like no time at all, meetings and therapy shifted over to online teleconferencing platforms, providing a quick solution to the problem of in-person support suddenly vanishing. While maybe not ideal, these digital alternatives have offered connection and support during an extremely trying time.
While participating in recovery meetings, whether virtual or in-person, is a cornerstone of successful recovery stories, there are several other actions to take to help maintain sobriety during the pandemic.
8 Ways to Shore up Sobriety During Covid
Direct and ongoing contact with your sober support network is essential during the pandemic, whether by video chat, texting, online forums, recovery apps, or phone calls. In addition, there are a variety of other proactive steps that can be taken that will also help reinforce sobriety in these tying times. Consider the following 8 tips for protecting recovery:
- Make recovery your number one priority. Yes, there are a multitude of valid concerns and distractions to manage during the Covid-19 crisis, but nothing should displace prioritizing your recovery. Safeguarding your recovery should remain the highest priority, as every single decision made throughout each day will impact it. Before taking any action, ask yourself, “Does [insert activity] help or hurt my recovery?” and then act accordingly. Nothing is worth sacrificing your recovery over.
- Make recovery your number one priority. Yes, there are a multitude of valid concerns and distractions to manage during the Covid-19 crisis, but nothing should displace prioritizing your recovery. Safeguarding your recovery should remain the highest priority, as every single decision made throughout each day will impact it. Before taking any action, ask yourself, “Does [insert activity] help or hurt my recovery?” and then act accordingly. Nothing is worth sacrificing your recovery over.
- Make recovery your number one priority. Yes, there are a multitude of valid concerns and distractions to manage during the Covid-19 crisis, but nothing should displace prioritizing your recovery. Safeguarding your recovery should remain the highest priority, as every single decision made throughout each day will impact it. Before taking any action, ask yourself, “Does [insert activity] help or hurt my recovery?” and then act accordingly. Nothing is worth sacrificing your recovery over.
- Make recovery your number one priority. Yes, there are a multitude of valid concerns and distractions to manage during the Covid-19 crisis, but nothing should displace prioritizing your recovery. Safeguarding your recovery should remain the highest priority, as every single decision made throughout each day will impact it. Before taking any action, ask yourself, “Does [insert activity] help or hurt my recovery?” and then act accordingly. Nothing is worth sacrificing your recovery over.
- Make recovery your number one priority. Yes, there are a multitude of valid concerns and distractions to manage during the Covid-19 crisis, but nothing should displace prioritizing your recovery. Safeguarding your recovery should remain the highest priority, as every single decision made throughout each day will impact it. Before taking any action, ask yourself, “Does [insert activity] help or hurt my recovery?” and then act accordingly. Nothing is worth sacrificing your recovery over.
- Make recovery your number one priority. Yes, there are a multitude of valid concerns and distractions to manage during the Covid-19 crisis, but nothing should displace prioritizing your recovery. Safeguarding your recovery should remain the highest priority, as every single decision made throughout each day will impact it. Before taking any action, ask yourself, “Does [insert activity] help or hurt my recovery?” and then act accordingly. Nothing is worth sacrificing your recovery over.
- Make recovery your number one priority. Yes, there are a multitude of valid concerns and distractions to manage during the Covid-19 crisis, but nothing should displace prioritizing your recovery. Safeguarding your recovery should remain the highest priority, as every single decision made throughout each day will impact it. Before taking any action, ask yourself, “Does [insert activity] help or hurt my recovery?” and then act accordingly. Nothing is worth sacrificing your recovery over.
- Make recovery your number one priority. Yes, there are a multitude of valid concerns and distractions to manage during the Covid-19 crisis, but nothing should displace prioritizing your recovery. Safeguarding your recovery should remain the highest priority, as every single decision made throughout each day will impact it. Before taking any action, ask yourself, “Does [insert activity] help or hurt my recovery?” and then act accordingly. Nothing is worth sacrificing your recovery over.
Yes, we are in the midst of a pandemic, and, yes, that is destabilizing—especially for those in recovery. But with a little effort and creativity it is possible to remain in control of your sobriety. Stay connected to support sources and mind your health and wellbeing for a successful recovery, even during a pandemic.
About the Author
Geoffrey A. Booth, M.D. the Medical Director of LifeSync Malibu, an exclusive rehabilitation program located in the heart of Malibu. Dr. Booth has treated thousands of addicts over the years and now has dedicated most of his clinical time to providing medical care and detoxification to clients who suffer from substance abuse. He is committed to helping them establish the foundations for long-term sobriety. While not working, Dr. Booth has a rich personal life filled with activities surrounded by friends and family.