Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Winter 2020

The isolation brought on by social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic can be hard on anyone. But it may be especially tough for people in recovery from a substance use disorder. Face-to-face support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) may be canceled to prevent the spread of the virus. And the isolation you may feel from social distancing can stoke feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. All of these things can make it harder to stay away from alcohol and drugs. But if you’re in recovery and worried about a relapse, there is some good news. Citizens Memorial Hospital Addiction Recovery Program offers outpatient addiction treatment appointments in-person and/or via telehealth. Kurt Bravata, M.D., FACC, and Kelly Watson, FNP-BC, Coping with addiction Social distancing during a pandemic can make it difficult treat individuals with substance use disorders, including addiction, misuse or abuse of alcohol, opioids, meth, heroin, cocaine, and gambling. Total sobriety is not a requirement to begin treatment. YOU’RE NOT FAR FROM SUPPORT First, it may be helpful to remember that you’re not in this alone. Many people are struggling with the confines of stay-at-home orders. The CMH Addiction Recovery Program is located in Bolivar and offers appointments in El Dorado Springs, Greenfield and Hermitage, Missouri. Here are some other ways that can help you continue with a successful recovery: About the program The CMH Addiction Recovery Program is located at 1120 S. Springfield Ave., Bolivar. The program assists in opiate and alcohol recovery by offering a highly specialized substance abuse outpatient treatment program that is designed to lead patients to physical and psychosocial wellness. Services include medication-assisted treatment, individual counseling, behavioral therapies, and community or church-based spiritual support. Medicare, Medicaid and most major insurance plans cover services offered through the addiction recovery program. For individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, CMH offers financing options and assists in navigating state services for those who qualify. MENTAL HEALTH Call your health care provider’s office. Find out if they offer telemedicine appointments. You might be able to stay in touch with your doctor online using an app like Skype or FaceTime. Work with your provider to be sure you have any medicines you need. Nutrition is a key component to recovery. Plan healthy meals so you can stay on track. Stay connected to family, friends or your sponsor by phone, email or social media. Be open with loved ones about how you’re feeling and what you need to stay on track. Would it be helpful if they brought you books? Movies? Newspapers? Use healthy coping tactics. Practice deep breathing. Pray. Do things you enjoy. Keep a journal and write down things you’re grateful for. If you do relapse during this stressful time, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Work with your doctor to find out why you relapsed. You may need to revise your treatment program. Sources: American College of Physicians; National Institute on Drug Abuse; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Call 417-326-7840 to schedule an appointment or go to citizensmemorial.com/ services/addiction -recovery for more information. 10 VITALITY Winter 2020