Staying Safe During COVID

I read an article the other day that said relapses are up because of COVID. It seems to me that issues around our mental wellness can be directly related to some of the factors that society needs to implement to keep ourselves COVID free such as masking, social distancing, showing our vaccination status to enter certain facilities and isolation from family and friends. All of these things are new to us and can feel overwhelming.

One of the important features of addiction recovery is finding new routines. During this pandemic, for many in recovery, routines have been interrupted, whether you are in a residential program, or trying to remain sober in the community. Boredom and loneliness are not fun and can lead to depression and a desire to default to old ways. COVID has made it much harder to have stable relationships with peers who are sober, and the group and individual encouragement to keep on track is jeopardized.

So what do we do? I would suggest that if you are struggling with isolation, loneliness, and fear that you might relapse, call your sponsor, a peer friend, or your former counsellor at your treatment centre. All of these support people want you to be successful. My suggestion is to use your phone or computer and connect to your support people. There are lots of virtual support meetings run by AA/NA, so find the link to your support group and Zoom in. Did you know that Treatment and Recovery Centres are not closed during COVID? They are there for you and are a phone call away. Simon House’s main number is (403) 247-2050 and when you call, you can speak with a Recovery Coach who can listen and guide you with your safety plan.

Thinking of your safety plan, make sure that you are eating right and getting enough sleep. Exercise. If it is cold and snowy, bundle up and shovel your neighbour’s walk. They will love it, and you will feel good. Some other things you can do are journaling (and if you have completed a treatment program you know how valuable that can be!), continue with that or find a new hobby (I have a friend who has discovered model car building!), and many people find that meditation is a powerful tool for reflection.

Finally, if you do slip, there is no shame in returning to a treatment centre for a tune-up. We are here for you when you reach out. An anonymous quote from our website says, “There is no shame in beginning again, for you get a chance to build bigger and better than before.” It is possible to find strategies to deal with the isolation and loneliness created by COVID and our hope is that everyone remains on their journey and that your best years are ahead!

Dr. John

Simon House CEO