【UK】

Tom Hill is UKin long-term recovery from addiction. He hasn't used a substance in 27 years and regularly taps into a network of community support and in-person groups to stay abstinent.

But last weekend the local churches that hold those meetings closed to help prevent spread of the coronavirus. Suddenly, Hill knew he'd have to adapt. He sought out online meetings, often hosted via video chat, and found countless others doing the same.

"There are all these people like myself without support group meetings," said Hill. "It has been really amazing."

Solving this problem is more than a personal quest for Hill; he's also senior advisor on addiction and recovery at the National Council for Behavioral Health, a nonprofit representing thousands of member organizations that deliver mental health and addiction treatment to patients.

Since COVID-19, the official term for the disease caused by the virus, began spreading in the U.S., people in recovery have faced obstacles to receiving treatment. That includes accessing methadone, which is one medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Patients usually receive a daily dose of methadone by visiting a federally-regulated program, but that became impossible or difficult as public health officials asked residents to stay home and practice social distancing.

Earlier this week, the federal government relaxed its policy, so that patients could receive take-home doses that last for weeks, a move the National Council for Behavioral Health supported.

While the government can suspend certain rules in order to keep treatment accessible, it has no role in how and when support groups meet. Those include gatherings that happen as part of 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous as well as other peer support groups.

Such meetings can be critical to recovery. A new systematic review found that A.A. is more effective than other established treatments in helping people stay abstinent for longer periods of time.

Hill said that people in recovery may be particularly vulnerable to the negative mental health effects of social distancing and quarantine.

"Isolation is a hallmark of addiction," said Hill. "To be isolated in your house, for someone who may be isolated in general, is not a good equation."

Instead, those in recovery should look for opportunities to connect digitally with others going through the same experience. There are at least 15 groups offering online meetings and resources, including Alcoholics Anonymous, In The Rooms, LifeRing, Refuge Recovery, SMART Recovery, Reddit Recovery, and SoberGrid.

The gatherings typically take place in forums and via video conferencing, though many video meetings are accessible via phone with a dial-in number. The SoberGrid app helps users connect to a peer support network and communicate with others through chat and messaging tools.

Though Hill recommends video because seeing people's faces makes it feel more like an in-person meeting, the most important thing is to simply reach out regardless of the platform.

"I think it’s going to be a new thing for people, but if that’s what you got, that’s what you use," he said.

If someone feels uncomfortable appearing on video, they can often share via voice, without showing their picture or image, or through chat that happens simultaneously on platforms like BlueJeans and Google Hangouts. In general, participants should be cautious with the level of detail they offer, as they would at an IRL meeting.

Ultimately, Hill hopes that online meetings help prevent people from relapsing during a time when that risk is heightened thanks to coronavirus stress and anxiety. Those early in their recovery may be especially prone to relapse because they're learning new habits and coping skills. Hill urges them to use any tool to reach out for help. Telephone and text check-ins with recovery mentors and 12-step sponsors are vital to building a strong sense of connection.

"If all you have is a flip phone, you can text, make calls," said Hill. "You just need to make a conscious attempt to communicate and get outside of yourself and outside of your own home."

If you are looking for treatment referral and information, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The free, confidential service can assist individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. If you want to talk to someone or are experiencing suicidal thoughts, Crisis Text Line provides free, confidential support 24/7. Text CRISIS to 741741 to be connected to a crisis counselor.