12 step sobriety and isolation. These are two things that are not supposed to go together, right? Yet here we are in these strange times – being forced to isolate and stay at home. This was exactly the opposite of what I was told to do when I got sober. In fact, for the first 6 weeks I was in the program I was around people 24/7. This must be a tough time for anyone who is in their first 90 days of sobriety, and also tough for their families who are stuck with them!
I have been sober since 2008 and have been associated with The Crossroads Program since 2010. I am currently employed as a first responder/healthcare worker and have been on the front lines of the Covid-19 crisis. Even so I am grateful to be employed. When so many people have been without a steady income I have been earning overtime. Yes, I have encountered at least a dozen people who have tested positive with the virus and so far I’ve remained healthy. But aside from sick people there has been a lot more ripples that are less talked about. We have seen a huge spike in mental health emergencies, domestic disturbances, and of course drug overdoses. Many people are not doing well and lot of these people are alcoholics and addicts. Unfortunately, this is no surprise to me…
In “Bumper Stickers” Bob talks about “Free Floating Primal Anxiety”. Changing what we are comfortable with causes anxiety. This is currently happening on a global scale. This is why people are panicking and buying all the toilet paper. Addicts go through this anxiety when they get sober because they have to change everything in order to stay sober. We like things the way they are, we do not like change. We do not like being told what to do, we don’t like being told to stay home. We don’t like being told to change. This causes some people great stress and dysfunction, especially people who don’t know a better solution.
In recovery we are lucky to HAVE a better solution. And this solution still works even when things don’t go our way. We still have our supporting peers, we still have our sponsors. Picking up the phone has probably never been so important. Call someone every day, go to online meetings, take time to meditate, and above all have faith. Accept the situation. It is what it is. Enthusiastic sobriety is also a mentality. Although we might be isolated we are not alone. In many ways this whole thing has reminded me how much I love my fellows and, in some ways, will bring us closer.
AA’s book “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” says in Step 10 we can use the experience of a occasional retreat from the outside world to quiet down for undisturbed self-overhaul and meditation. Use this time to get closer to your higher power and closer to your loved ones. Relax and enjoy a book, a movie, or even a nap. Things will go back to normal…then they will change again. Accepting change is something we all must learn to do in order to have peace of mind. This too shall pass, good and bad, but remember we ALWAYS have a solution.
-With Love