In an instant, COVID-19 brought us countless new worries about our health, our families, our jobs, and our safety. If you are someone who is prone to substance abuse or even just filled with anxiety, you may have trouble staying sober during coronavirus. The public health response to the pandemic has forced us into an unprecedented period of isolation. You cannot go to the gym, to the movies, or see your co-workers or watch sports events. You are alone. And that can mean troubles. Between the pressures from the virus, on the economy, and from isolation and loneliness, staying sober during coronavirus is a steep challenge. The team at Right Step Hill Country is here to help and can help get you over the hump.
Stress and Substance Abuse
Stress is something we feel, but science has shown that it is more than that. Stress also prompts a set of physiological responses, such as increases in blood sugar and blood pressure. The relationship between stress and substance abuse is also well established. People suffering from anxiety are prone to turning to drugs or alcohol for relief. The role of traumatic events such as the pandemic is known to accelerate substance abuse problems.
If you are or a loved one feel you need help staying sober during coronavirus, then our alcohol addiction treatment center should be your next call. Our clinical staff, with decades of experience in addiction medicine, can provide the help you need to stay on a path of sobriety.
Staying Sober During Coronavirus
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard enough for people who are mentally strong. People subject to anxiety or substance abuse face even greater challenges, undermining their efforts at staying sober during the coronavirus. Whether it is job loss or illness, the emotional reactions to the pandemic can send people to the bottle or a pill for relief.
You should at these perilous times practice self-care. The Centers for Disease Control gives these suggestions for positive, proactive ways of improving your chances of staying sober during coronavirus:
- Take a break the news
- Go outside and experience nature
- Exercise regularly
- Get enough sleep
- Eat well
- Connect as you can with friends through technology
Treatment and Recovery
COVID-19 has transformed our lives in ways we cannot yet fully contemplate, especially for people who are struggling with substance abuse or mental health. But even though things might be structured differently, the tenets of recovery remain the same. If you are facing challenges of staying sober during coronavirus, you might wonder what happens at a mental health treatment center.
Treatment typically starts with a complete assessment, both medically and psychologically. Doctors need to know your history in developing the proper treatment plan. Following the assessment, you should expect a period of detox. Recovery cannot be successful if you continue to use drugs or alcohol.
The next stage involves an individual therapy program or a group therapy program designed to help you understand your thoughts and behaviors and build new ways of coping. Finally, aftercare programs provide post-treatment support to guard against relapse. Even with the changes brought by the pandemic, there will be supportive programs for staying sober during coronavirus.
Finding Peace and Sobriety
So many parts of our lives have been brought to halt. We are all just now sorting out the new challenges ahead, but one has been magnified these last few months: Staying sober during coronavirus. The response to stress at times, unfortunately, is to turn to the bottle or a pill. But you don’t have to struggle with sobriety alone. The medical team at Right Step Hill Country is here to assist. We provide treatment programs, including an inpatient rehab center, outpatient rehab center, and prescription drug addiction treatment programs. Call us right away at 1.844.675.1628 for an initial consultation, and we will set your life back on track to sobriety.