Although the Coronavirus outbreak has caused feelings of anxiety for many in Vancouver, it is important to avoid addiction relapse during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is no longer news that the world is being plagued by the coronavirus pandemic which started a few months ago. To control the spread of the virus, the government has enacted several laws such as curfews and social distancing laws.

Over the last few weeks, a restriction has also been placed on certain establishments, limiting the hours for which they can open their doors or even totally barring it. All these are well and good in terms of curtailing the spread of COVID-19. However, they hold more serious implications for certain people.

The new laws that are in effect in Vancouver and the whole of Canada, to be precise, have put the recovery of many addicts at risk. This is because the various restrictions on physical movement and public gathering mean that a lot of addicts cannot be with their recovery support groups. Some may not even be able to go to their rehab centers for treatments. 

Addiction services in Vancouver have now become a less straightforward process. Many of the rehab centers that have stayed opened now have very strict procedures guiding the admittance of new patients. Such stringent processes are understandably put in place to decrease the chances of a coronavirus outbreak at the clinics.

For addicts, it means that the risk of suffering a relapse in addiction treatment is extremely high. The prospect of a recovery relapse may sound very scary but we have good news for you. It is possible to avoid an addiction relapse during this COVID-9 pandemic and we will tell you how. It may require a little effort on your part but the energy spent is well worth it.

Before we go into the details of addiction treatment and how to help prevent relapses during this time, let us first explore how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting addiction recovery.

Related article: Top Tips for Addiction Relapse Prevention

How the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Affected Addiction Services in Vancouver 

There are several ways through which the coronavirus has put addiction treatment in jeopardy for a lot of people. In this section, we will explore these conditions before proffering possible solutions.

Isolation

Addiction, they say, is a disease of isolation. This means that recovering addicts should seldom be left alone as it can have negative effects on their mental health. For addicts, the company of others, especially people they can relate to, serves as a support system. 

However, with the coronavirus outbreak, it has become difficult to be in the company of people that are not family. Isolation is one of the stringent laws that are being preached to control the spread of the virus. This goes against recommended conditions for addiction treatment and is already affecting countless people. With the new social distancing rules, it means that people cannot attend support group meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

Difficulty in Acquiring Treatment Drugs

Another way that COVID-19 has affected addiction treatment in Vancouver is the problem of acquiring drugs. Many people that are recovering from addiction usually take drugs to help take the edge off when the urge to use comes. 

Most times, these drugs are usually dispensed daily for people who need them. However, with the enactment of laws restricting movements, public gatherings, and enforcing social distancing, it has become difficult for addicts to go to their treatment centers for essential medication.

Restricted Access to Rehab Centres

Asides from the laws that the government has put in place due to the pandemic, the fear of contracting and spreading the coronavirus have caused many addiction rehabilitation centers to shut doors. 

The few addiction services in Vancouver that have stayed open have restricted their access as a safety measure. Now, people cannot just walk into a rehab center for treatment. There are now strict protocols regulating and limiting the number of patients that can be admitted. This means that countless people are left without addiction treatment in Vancouver.

Higher Risk of Contracting Coronavirus

According to medical practitioners, people with a history of drug use or that are still using drugs are more likely to contract the COVID-19. This is because of factors such as shared equipment and the fact that addicts tend to use it in groups.

This information has caused another problem for people in recovery from addiction. It has caused a heightened sense of fear, stress and anxiety which does nothing to help a person that is trying to stay clean from drugs.

What to Do To Avoid Addiction Relapse During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Now that we know the various ways the coronavirus has affected addiction services in Vancouver, we will now look at how you can avoid relapse. It is vital that you stay clean and well on your path to recovery from addiction and here’s how you can do it.

Related article: Support for Families of Recovering Addicts

Find a Support Partner

One of the ways to avoid an addiction relapse is to be with someone who can relate with and help you stay focused on recovery. To stay safe from the coronavirus, yet stay on your path to addiction recovery, you cannot just pick just anybody. Choose a partner that you are certain is free from the virus and is an accountable friend. This way, you will be able to spend the time together without any issues

This ensures that you are never alone during the isolation period and you have someone who can help you stay clean. However, it is vital that you pick someone you can be accountable to and who can help you stay off drugs. Don’t pick a partner that will enable your addiction.

Attend Online Support Group Meetings

A lot of support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and even addiction treatment professionals have moved their sessions online. Now, this may not have the same feel as holding physical support group meetings and treatment sessions, but it is still a step in the right direction. 

A good way to avoid addiction is to connect with support groups, mental health professionals, and accountability partners, even if you have to do so online. It will require extra effort but it can be a great substitute for physical addiction services in Vancouver.

Request for a Batch of Your Meds

Some medications help to reduce the urge or cravings for drugs. So if you already use those, rather than having to make a daily trip to your addiction treatment clinic in Vancouver, there is an alternative. You should make enquiries from your treatment clinic as to whether it will be possible to get a take-home batch of your treatment medications. This may only be granted if you have stopped using illegal drugs, but make enquiries to be sure. 

Stay Busy

Isolation can be a recipe for addiction recovery disaster, but only if you let it. Another crucial way to boost the effectiveness of your addiction rehab process in Vancouver is to stay busy at all times. Get rid of all substances that may tempt you and make yourself a list of activities that can keep you busy and entertained at all times. Learn something new, do that chore that you have been postponing, watch a movie – anything that will help you stay clean. 

Related article: Sober Activities to Enjoy in the Summer

Ask for Help if You Have to

If you want to avoid a relapse, then you should never be afraid to ask for help from professional addiction services in Vancouver if you need to. The coronavirus pandemic has made this period uncertain and it is normal to be at a loss on what to do in different scenarios.

Therefore, it is hugely important that you contract the services of addiction professionals in Vancouver. They will be able to better handle your treatment and prevent you from suffering a serious relapse.

In Conclusion

You must make an effort to preserve the hard-fought results of addiction treatment that you have already undergone in Vancouver. The above steps will help you avoid addiction relapse. Also, as much as possible, try to adhere to the rules for staying safe from the coronavirus. 

More importantly, Call Inspire Change Addiction Rehab in Vancouver for addiction treatment programs. Following the recommended safety guidelines, we are providing safe, excellent addiction services in Vancouver. Contact us if you need help with addiction treatment now!

Related article: Ways to Help a Recovering Addict