Isolation holds a specific horror to those who struggle with substance abuse. Being alone and left unaccountable can spell disaster for someone in recovery. Pamela Bridgeman, LCSW, MAC, CCTP, President and CEO of A Healing Journey Counseling and Consultation L.L.C. talks about the stress of Covid-19 and the pressures that mount for those struggling with substance abuse and addiction.
This is a strange trying time for everyone. In some way or another, we are all being pushed out of our comfort zones; leading many of us to test the limits in some regard. For social drinkers the drinking becomes less social in quarantine, and for those in recovery the accountability less tangible. The key is to be honest with yourself. Bridgeman explains, “If you find yourself saying, ‘just one more’ or ‘I don’t drink as much as so-and-so’ often you may want to take a step back. These are very classic lines of justification for unhealthy behaviors.”