There’s no question that you worked hard for your recovery. When you first got started, going to sobriety meetings felt a little intimidating. After all, sharing your stories with strangers seemed like a foreign concept. But before you knew it, you started to feel a sense of community in these meetings. Being with people who actually understood your struggle made some of the stress melt away.
Then seemingly out of nowhere, the coronavirus (COVID-19) hit the country. And any event or meeting that brought groups of people together were shutdown to help contain the virus. While you understand why it happened, having your recovery meetings taken away has disrupted your routine and left you without one of your key coping mechanisms.
When times get tough, you have to get creative to keep your recovery moving in a positive direction. Even though you might be more isolated than normal, that doesn’t mean your sobriety stops. We’re going to show you some at-home alternatives for AA and SMART Recovery.
5 At-Home Alternatives for AA and SMART Recovery Meetings
1. In The Rooms
With a little help from technology, you can get the same experience you’d find at an AA meeting. In The Rooms is a massive online addiction recovery community that hosts meetings every day. Joining the community is free, and there are plenty of online AA meetings for you to choose from. Whether you’re interested in traditional 12-step meetings or looking to learn how to better control your stress, this community can help you.
2. Tech Together
People have noticed that COVID-19 has created a perfect storm for drug and alcohol abuse. To fight back, Google, Facebook and Twitter have created Tech Together. It’s an online platform that is designed to support anyone who is suffering from a substance use disorder. While the platform has a variety of features, it’s a great place to find an at-home alternative for AA. Tech Together gives you access to online AA meetings, screening tools and discussions on various message boards you can participate in.
3. Reach Out to Addiction Treatment Centers
Sometimes it’s hard to accept a group of people without meeting them in person first. If you went to inpatient treatment, you might know that many addiction treatment centers like Silver Maple Recovery have alumni networks you can join. Alumni groups have a little extra credibility because of their connection to a rehab center. And having common ground on the type of treatment you received can make any interaction with them far less intimidating. Check with your treatment center to see if their alumni network does regular phone calls or virtual Zoom meetings you can join.
4. Create Your Own Connections
If you’re in recovery from a drug or alcohol addiction in Ohio, you might want to only talk to people you can trust. And with COVID-19 continuing to disrupt daily life, you might have to set up your own AA or SMART recovery meetings. A good place to start is to connect with your friends and family. Get an idea for what their schedule looks like and invite them to a weekly call.
The important thing to remember is that connection is important. If you can set up two to three regular calls or video chats with friends and family, you’ll be able to share your feelings and any struggles in a comfortable setting.
5. Online SMART Recovery Meetings
There are plenty of benefits to attending a SMART recovery meeting in person. However, that isn’t an option right now due to COVID-19. In response, the main SMART recovery website offers over 45 online meetings each week to help your recovery.
The great part is that these online meetings have the same set-up and structure that you’re used to. Plus, there is a chat room that is always open. Whether you just need someone to talk to or have some emotions to process, you can find support there.
Sobriety Isn’t Easy, But You’re Not Alone at Silver Maple Recovery
The path to lasting sobriety isn’t one you have to walk alone. Silver Maple Recovery is an addiction treatment center in Cleveland that offers healing without judgment. Our expert local staff will get to know you on a personal level, so that we can customize your treatment.
If you’re worried of leaving home due to COVID-19, we offer outpatient tele-health programs that let you get treatment from the comfort of your own home. Our tele-health program includes individual counseling, IOP and PHP outpatient treatment that you can access from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Whether you need some extra help during your recovery or have recently relapsed, we can help you build a life you can be proud of. Contact us today. We have a professional caregiver ready to speak with you and hear your story 24/7. If you’re ready for your sober life to move forward, Silver Maple Recovery can help you get started.
