April is Alcohol Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness and understanding of alcohol use. Alcohol Awareness Month offers communities a chance to gain more understanding of how individuals struggle with alcohol use and offers resources and support.
Many counties served by Vaya in western North Carolina have experienced crises via natural disasters in recent months. March 26 marked six months since Hurricane Helene-one of the most devastating natural disasters to ever hit the region-reached the mountains and foothills of North Carolina. Additionally, wildfires have been an ongoing concern as of late in the area.
As physical isolation is often a byproduct of natural disasters, those in recovery might feel anxious. If that’s you, you might be asking yourself:
- What if my Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting is canceled?
- What if I can’t get in touch with my sponsor?
- What if I’m struggling with my recovery and need immediate support?
- What if the stress and panic of a natural disaster causes me to relapse?
Each of the questions above is a valid concern for those in recovery who might also be high-risk during times of crisis. So—how do you balance your recovery with your crisis concerns?
If Your Support Group Meeting is Canceled
If all your local meetings have been canceled, In The Rooms is a fantastic resource for accessing free online meetings for those in recovery. Smart Recovery offers an online community with virtual meetings, forums and discussions. WEConnect is another great resource for recovery meetings to anyone in the world.
These websites and communities also have a large selection of blogs, guides, and other content for you to use during times of social isolation. With a free account, you’ll have access to hundreds of online recovery meeting spaces.
4 Tips for Maintaining Your Recovery Throughout Crises
While canceled recovery support groups might make maintaining your recovery more difficult, there are some things you can do to make it easier on yourself:
1. Take care of your mental and physical health. Drink plenty of water or tea, go on a walk, or write down your worries/thoughts in a journal. While you might not have fresh veggies stocked in your fridge, try to limit the junk food you eat. Are you feeling anxious? It’s important to remain calm and not believe everything you read on social media. Unplug for a while to get away from all the panic on TV.
2. Call your sponsor or support person. Hopefully there’s someone in your life who has been your main source of support during your recovery journey. Though you may not be able to meet with them in person, give them a call or video chat! It’s likely they can relate to some of the challenges you’re facing in isolation.
3. Keep yourself busy. If you are working from home, take this time to knock out tasks that have been on your to-do list for a while. If you aren’t working, clean up the house, wash all the dishes, vacuum or sweep, and fold laundry. This can make your home feel more peaceful.
4. Spend time with family, roommates, or pets. If you live with someone else (human or animal), use this free time to hang out with them. Play card or board games, talk about what’s been going on at work or school—and for your furry friends, teach them a new trick!
“After the immediate crisis comes the recovery phase where we have to deal with the effects of this ongoing trauma,” advises Vaya’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Richard Zenn. “Try to get back into your normal routines. Eat well. Build in enough time for sleep and movement. Connect with others, and don’t get too isolated. Be aware of your stress level and use healthy strategies to reduce stress.”
How to Get Help
If you think you might be suffering with a substance use disorder related to alcohol, take a free, quick and anonymous health screening to find out what to do next.
Mental and behavioral health resources are critical during periods of distress and potential self-harm. Those in the communities Vaya serves can reach out to the following resources:
- Vaya’s Behavioral Health Crisis Line (1-800-849-6127) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Vaya’s Member and Recipient Service Line (1-800-962-9003) is available 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Saturday.
- Walk-in centers help people experiencing a substance use or mental health crisis in the same way urgent care clinics help people with immediate physical health needs. You can visit a walk-in center without an appointment. Find a walk-in center near you.
For more information, visit Substance Use Recovery | Vaya Health
