COVID-19 & It's Impact on the Recovery Community

As treatment providers for substance abuse we all know that social distancing goes against everything we have been trained with regard to treatment of addiction. We tell our clients from the beginning of their treatment to reach out to others, be honest, share your feelings, DO NOT BE ALONE TO LONG, DO NOT ISOLATE. Why do we tell them this? Because addiction is a disease of isolation and isolation will kill you. COVID-19 has taken away our relational freedoms to be around others, hold hands, shake hands, sit next to someone without fear you may get sick. Being seen by others weather it be at a meeting or in our therapist office offers us connection, intimacy, and the opportunity to be vulnerable with others. These in person human interactions is what breaks the isolation of addiction to its core. However the phone and the power of the internet too have virtual meetings is a great substitute it is NOT a long term solution for the treatment against addiction and warding off isolation. COVID19's impact has resulted in the mild, moderate and severe isolation which has resulted in relapse in some cases or emotional dysregulation due to fear that kicks up individuals historical trauma and unresolved psychodynamics that have not yet made it to awareness and or had enough healing to result in strong enough coping mechanisms to prevent a relapse. A large majority of individuals in recovery were victims of some level of abuse or experienced a moderate to severe disruption in their psychosocial development resulting in issues within their core basic needs. Those biologically based needs are connection, attunement, trust, autonomy and love-sexuality. When these needs are impacted on certain levels dependent on each individualized experience, it will result in physiological and psychological symptoms by affecting self-esteem, self-confidence, sense of self, self worth, and self regulation. A recovering persons face to face in person contact through meetings, fellowship, service, sponsorship, therapy etc. helps them in the pursuit to attain and maintain attunement to the 5 basic needs that allows them to be connected to their deepest resources and vitality. As we move forward as healthcare professionals it MUST be our priority to help our recovery community re-connect safely and work with them with the awareness of the depths of impact this world health crisis has done to their internal state of being. It MUST be our goal to assist them in regaining self-regulation, self-confidence, self-worth, self regulation, internal regulation, sense of self, connection, and ALIVENESS. These are all things that make up our physiological and psychological well-being. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to helping others! Dr. Benson looks forward to continuing to work together to offer hope and freedom from active addiction!