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Apr 8, 20203 min read

How to Manage Recovery during COVID-19

| By Chrystah Mullins, TCM, TCADC


If I have learned anything in life, it’s that we all struggle with something.


Everyone we meet has a different challenge that is oftentimes a daily struggle to overcome. To the individual who is dealt that specific card, each challenge can weigh like a ton of bricks. It’s as heavy as lead and is better managed with support. You don’t have to conquer that challenge alone.


As a mental health provider, I see people in many various walks of life. Some struggle with depression, some with self-esteem, some with eating disorders, and others with just life in general.


Those who struggle with addiction, specifically alcohol addiction, seem to manage their life best with a set routine. But what does a routine even look like these days since COVID-19? Children are being taught at home, businesses are closed, social distancing is mandated, and church services are all online. No, wait a minute, EVERYTHING is online. That brings me to the big question, how does a person in recovery maintain their sobriety?


Sobriety during COVID-19


During COVID-19, alcoholics in recovery have to find new ways to maintain their sobriety. Instead of attending an AA meeting in person, recovery groups now have to operate in an exclusively online capacity. Furthermore, many mental health agencies have started online counseling (or telehealth) in order to maintain appointments with clients.


Are these online accommodations ideal for a person in recovery? Probably not. However nothing is really ideal right now due to COVID-19 and its rapid growth across the United States.


So what are we supposed to do? Well, when there are so many changes, your support system becomes absolutely vital! Here are three things those in recovery can do to get the support they need to remain stable and sober during this time.


  1. Obtain a sponsor you can closely connect with. Ideally, a sponsor needs to be available to be contacted (at least) once per day by phone to help encourage accountability for continued sobriety. These conversations need to be personal and centered around the needs of the person in recovery.

  2. Attend AA meetings online daily to get continuous collaboration and additional support to the process.

  3. Make time for constructive hobbies. Find ways to fill the time while staying safe. For example, if you would usually workout at a gym, try developing your own exercise routine at home or going through an online workout on YouTube. If your routine usually includes a work out partner, try connecting via FaceTime or Zoom to encourage each other so that you are still safely socially distanced.


We are Mindsight and We Care


This brings me to my most important point. In order to successfully maintain sobriety during COVID-19, it is essential to connect with a drug and alcohol counselor.


At Mindsight Behavioral Group, we truly care and want to make a difference in your life. We have several counselors who are training to walk with recovering addicts on their journey to health and wellness. We also have counselors on call ready to speak with you if you need immediate support. We want to walk along your journey with you.


Call us today!

606-401-2966 | Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-9:00pm





I care! - Chrystah


Chrystah Mullins is a Targeted Case Manager at our Richmond office with 6 years of experience in the mental health field. She is now offering substance abuse counseling! She is a Counselor On-Call on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9-11am.






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