Relapse during times of Coronavirus could sometimes seem like a convenient way for the alcoholic to get away from it all, but it shouldn't be the case. Addiction is a common disease in the United States. In 2018, there were around 20.3 million people with a substance use disorder (SUD). Of those, approximately 1.4% (3.7 million people), received substance use treatment, with .9% (2.4 million people) getting substance use treatment at a specialty facility.
While 3.7 million people began their journey toward recovery in 2018, their work did not end after completing their rehab program. Rather, substance use treatment is only the first step on the lifelong journey toward sobriety. This path can include stumbles and pitfalls, especially when it comes relapse. In fact, of those who have gone through treatment, 40-60% unfortunately relapse.
In these unprecedented times, when anxiety, fear, and isolation have become major players in our lives as COVID-19 sweeps the world, it becomes even more imperative that you find the practices that will help you successfully avoid relapse.
While an epidemic involves an escalation of the number of cases of a disease past what is typically expected in a geographical area, a pandemic occurs when a disease spreads across many countries and effects many people.
A pandemic transcends international boundaries, unlike regional epidemics. This broad geographical reach what makes pandemics result in large-scale economic loss, social disruption, and general hardship.
COVID-19, an communicable disease caused by a recently discovered coronavirus, is a respiratory illness that is contagious and can be spread from close contact with an infected person, specifically from their respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets can be spread through sneezing and coughing.
Those who have been in close contact with someone who has the disease have a greater chance contracting infection. A person may not have symptoms of COVID-19 despite being a carrier of the virus.
The more people you come in contact with, the more likely you would be exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Social distancing reduces the amount of close contact people have with others. Staying away from people improves your chances of infections such as coronavirus. Self-quarantine, is the act of removing yourself from contact with others to protect yourself and your community.
Social distancing can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation as contact with others decreases. Isolation can have great impact on individuals’ physical and mental health.
Recognizing the warning signs of relapse provides the best opportunity to avoid it. Signs of potential relapse include the following:
If you are noticing changes in yourself, in everything from dropping hobbies to feeling down and sad all the time, pay attention to those changes and have a strategy in place for how you can deal with those changes so you don’t risk relapse.
There are various tactics for taking care of yourself and setting yourself up for success when it comes to your recovery. These strategies are even more important as we face stress, anxiety, social distancing, and isolation in the coming days ahead. With the pandemic impacting our way of life, strategies for avoiding relapse include the following:
*Exercise regularly.
*Practice meditation/mindfulness. Mindfulness meditation can be an excellent technique for dealing with unwanted thoughts. You can learn to observe your mental processes instead of being caught up in them.
*Be aware of negative self-talk. Positive affirmations can help change the tone of negative self-talk.
*Get good sleep.
*Eat healthy foods and stay hydrated.
*Get outside. Feel the sunshine and the wind. A change of scenery may change your mindset.
*Reconnect with a hobby that you’ve moved away from (sculpting, dancing, writing, playing an instrument, etc.).
*Avoid people, places and things that can be triggering for you.
American Addiction Centers is also hosting free, virtual support meetings. The meetings will be based on traditional 12-step meetings and will be hosted by someone in recovery.
Maintaining your recovery is a journey full of ups and downs, and it is imperative that you recognize that our global health crisis may put you at risk of a major down that could lead to relapse. In fact, a study shows that alcohol abuse has significantly increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. Make sure to do the work to prepare yourself for this risk so that you can stay sober during these trying times. And if you need help, reach out to one of our admissions navigators today at 877 3222694
Lead Writer/Reviewer : Kayla Loibl
Licensed Medical Health Professional
Hello!
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. Read More
Sources:
BBC News. Alcoholism in the time of coronavirus. October 6, 2020. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-53684700
Columbia Mailman School of Public Health. Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic: What are the Differences?. February 19, 2021. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/public-health-now/news/epidemic-endemic-pandemic-what-are-differences
World Health Organization. Coronavirus. https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Covid 19: How to Protect Yourself & Others. March 8, 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
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