Public officials have, for a good reason advised us to keep ourselves physically distant from each other to cope with the spread of COVID-19. But what about coping with isolation during coronavirus?
That’s a challenge unto itself that comes with a lot of other concurrent stresses. The economy is in deep recession; we are concerned about a virus we cannot see or control; and we’re, in effect, grounded, unable to see friends or family or mix with others.
In coping with isolation during coronavirus, some may choose the wrong path –- to medicate themselves through drugs or alcohol. That can send you into a dark cycle. We’ve got ways to get you out.
Coping with Isolation During Coronavirus
We currently live at the most amazing technological time in history. We have the tools to communicate across the globe at the click of a mouse. The isolation of the pandemic isn’t erased by technological connection, but it can be managed.
Reach out to friends, to family, to co-workers for that personal connection you need, and it will be one big way of coping with isolation during coronavirus. You can also try a few of these tips from the Centers for Disease Control to help break the hold isolation has on you:
- Limit exposure to news
- Enjoy nature
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Keep up on any medications or existing treatment programs
- Practice meditation or other breathing exercises.
Appearance of Substance Abuse
Perhaps the most important and obvious self-help measure is to limit the use of alcohol and drugs. It is just not a healthy way of coping with isolation during coronavirus. You might be wondering if this has already happened, either for you or a loved one. Here are some clues to look for:
- Onset of paranoia or suspicion
- Bloodshot or glassy eyes
- Aggressiveness, argumentative
- Acting unusually uninhibited
- Twitching
- Restlessness, overloaded with energy
No single one of these is proof of substance abuse. When they happen in bunches, though, it may be time to contact Right Step Houston for help at [DIrect].
Living Alone
The challenges of COVID-19 are magnified in part by demographics in our country. An estimated 36 million people in the United States live alone, according to the Census Bureau. For many of those people, going to work was their primary social interaction.
Now, they are left with coping with isolation during coronavirus, a strange and foreign term we knew nothing about just six months ago. One way to think about isolation during coronavirus is that it has helped stem the spread of a virus that has cost hundreds of thousands of lives across the globe. By itself, isolation isn’t a bad thing. How we react and respond to it can make it better or worse, depending on our situations.
Unfortunately, that may not be helpful to people prone to substance abuse, and we already know that Americans have increased their purchases of alcohol during the quarantine.
Don’t let the stress of the outbreak take you down the wrong road. If you need someone to talk to – call a friend or a family member or your sponsor. If you feel you’re further along the substance abuse curve, consider calling us at Right Step Houston. We have the resources to help get you on the path back to sobriety.
Here for You
The last two months have upended our lives. We face stress and uncertainty, and that requires attention to coping with isolation during coronavirus. If you feel you need help with a substance abuse problem, contact us at Right Step Houston. Our team of medical professionals relies on evidence-based medicine to deliver a full range of addiction services, ranging from medical drug detox centers, alcohol addiction treatment centers, and comprehensive aftercare programs. Contact us today at 1.844.768.0169 for a consultation.