The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot of things—but one change you might not have been expecting is the rise in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. This pandemic is when most people are constantly told to stay home and isolate themselves. However, the resulting stress, boredom, and feeling of helplessness have led to a growing number of people finding solace in recovering from addiction. In this article, you will learn how the pandemic has led to an uptick in AA meetings.
The pandemic has been a stressful time for many.
For many people, the pandemic has been a stressful time. So it’s understandable that you would want to turn to alcohol or drugs when you feel overwhelmed. But it is important to understand that stress can make it harder for you to quit or stay sober in the long run — and even lead to relapse.
Staying committed to recovery can be even more challenging than usual.
The pandemic has been stressful for a lot of people, and staying committed to recovery can be even more challenging than usual. Yet, amid all the chaos and uncertainty, slipping back into old habits can be easy. Alcohol or drug use might seem like an escape from everything that’s going on in your life during this stressful time.
And that’s where 12-step programs come in: they’re essential in helping people stay sober during times like this. They’ve been around for decades, providing community and support for recovering alcoholics and addicts who have decided to live their lives without drugs or alcohol.
Isolation can worsen alcohol or drug use, which is why many 12-step programs focus on community.
The first step of most 12-step programs is admitting that you have a problem. But it can be challenging to acknowledge that you have a problem, especially if you’re already isolated and lonely.
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are one way for people with substance use disorders to meet others with similar problems in an environment where they feel safe sharing their stories and getting support from one another.
Online and virtual meetings have replaced in-person meetings during the pandemic.
AA meetings are easy to access these days. If you have the internet, you can find a meeting anywhere in the world, and most AA websites list dozens of meetings every day at any time of the day. Alcoholics Anonymous has become so popular that even online and virtual meetings are available for those who cannot attend in person because of illness or disability.
These meetings are especially helpful during pandemics like this one, making it difficult for many people to get out into the community and attend traditional meetings regularly. They also provide an opportunity for members hospitalized or living in nursing homes (or otherwise confined) to participate fully in recovery activities without having to leave home physically or mentally.
In times of crisis, people drink more. Alcoholics Anonymous offers a community — online or in-person — for those looking to quit drinking.
This fellowship is made up of only two elements: people who want to stop drinking, and those who have achieved sobriety by helping others become sober. The program’s steps outline the path to recovery as well as provide insight into why we turn to alcohol in times of crisis and how we can move beyond it together as a community—both online and in person with meetings all over the world!
In the pandemic, some people found they needed the support that Alcoholics Anonymous groups could provide.
It can be hard to stay committed to recovery when your life is chaotic and stressful. It’s even more challenging during a pandemic like this one when you’re dealing with stress on multiple fronts: work issues, family concerns, financial problems, and all of those things while coping with a public health crisis on top of it all. Not only are you surrounded by reminders of death and illness—you may lose friends or family members—but many people feel their own mortality has become more real than ever before. If you’re trying to stay sober in such an environment (which is a crucial time for staying sober), it can help if you have a community around you who will help keep each other grounded in sobriety despite everything else going on around us, right now.”
Conclusion
In times of crisis, people have a tendency to drink more. This is why the pandemic has led to an increase in Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. Though AA might not have been the fastest-growing 12-step program, but it is definitely one of the most well-known. Recovering alcoholics and addicts who have decided to live their lives without substances meet on a regular basis to discuss their struggles and give each other support.
Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the oldest 12-step programs with a rich history. The fellowship is made up of only two elements: people who want to stop drinking, and those who have achieved sobriety by helping others become sober. The program’s steps outline the path to recovery as well as provide insight into why we turn to alcohol in times of crisis and how we can move beyond it together as a community—both online and in person with meetings all over the world!
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, remember that help is available. Talk to a primary care physician, look for online peer support groups and see if any virtual Alcoholics Anonymous meetings run in your area. AA meetings are categorized per state, making it convenient to find the nearest one to you. Taking the first step may be the difficult part but it is one step towards recovery. This is your sign to find that community and surround yourself with people who are walking the same path as yours and make the journey towards recovery and healing worthwhile.