The concerns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly have no bounds. We’re worried about our health, our families, our jobs, and our safety. Here’s another challenge, for people struggling with substance abuse or prone to stress: Staying sober during coronavirus. Here at Right Step Houston, we understand maintaining sobriety can be a challenge.
As we’ve been asked to stay home as much as possible, it has led to increased periods of isolation, especially for people who live alone. You’ve lost your job or are working from home and cut off from co-workers. You can’t visit friends or family. You can’t go to the movies or a baseball game. It’s a challenging period.
Isolation and loneliness, stress from health and finances – they all combine to conspire against staying sober during coronavirus. But know this: You are not alone. Treatment and recovery centers such as Right Step Houston are here to give you support.
Stress and Substance Abuse
Stress impacts our lives in ways we don’t fully understand. We consider it an emotion, but stress also prompts a physiological response – increases in blood sugar, blood pressure, heartbeat.
It may seem obvious, but stress is linked to substance abuse as well. People who struggle with anxiety are prone to substance abuse and vice versa. Traumatic events make it worse. Consider the example of 9/11. Researchers found increases in substance abuse in people in New York City after the towers fell. So, you can imagine what the trauma of the pandemic is doing for people focused on staying sober during coronavirus.
Don’t let COVID-19 stress lead you down the wrong road. Reach out to Right Step Houston at 1.844.768.0169 for the support you deserve at this difficult time.
Staying Sober During Coronavirus
The isolation brought on by COVID-19 is tough for all of us. For people struggling with substance abuse, it’s even harder. Your emotions can lead to you the bottle or pill for relief.
Now is a good time to double down on coping mechanisms. You can improve your chances of staying sober during coronavirus by following some of these suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control:
- Limit exposure to news
- Get outside and experience nature
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep
- Eat well
- Stay connected with technology
Implementing these strategies give you a greater chance of staying sober during the coronavirus.
Treatment and Recovery
Though COVID-19 is transforming healthcare like every industry, it is not changing the basics of treatment. Treatment begins with a comprehensive intake and medical workup so doctors can understand your history in developing a comprehensive treatment plan.
Then you will be asked to spend time in detox – medical research indicates that you cannot proceed in recovery while you are still using. That sometimes triggers withdrawal symptoms that need to be monitored.
Counseling comes next. In individual and group therapy, you’ll explore what brought you to this point and work to build confidence and coping skills. Finally, treatment involves aftercare programs to reduce the risk of relapse.
Finding Peace — and Sobriety
COVID-19 has brought many aspects of our lives to a standstill. It has created new concerns and intensified old ones, such as staying sober during coronavirus. With so many more things to worry about, the risks of substance abuse are magnified. You don’t have to face this challenge alone. The clinical specialists at Right Step Houston, with decades of experience in addiction medicine, are here to assist. We provide a full range of addiction treatment programs including inpatient drug treatment centers, outpatient drug treatment centers, and prescription drug addiction treatment programs. Call us right away at 1.844.768.0169 for an initial consultation, and we will set your life back on track to sobriety.