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Editor's note: With the focus of anonymity being so important to recovery groups, the News Tribune has agreed to withhold last names for the purpose of this article.
When a person is in recovery from an addiction, programs tend to emphasize the importance of social connections in helping someone stay sober.
But with social distancing rules, local recovery groups have had to adapt and use technology to help keep that connection alive. Mid-Missouri members of Alcoholics Anonymous said local groups have opted to move meetings online in an effort to keep them going rather than cancel them all together, which could have disastrous effects for those who depend on them.
Brian, representing the Central Office of Mid-Missouri, which serves Alcoholics Anonymous groups in Mid-Missouri, said by mid-March he was seeing more and more individual AA groups move online to platforms like Zoom. He said the online meetings have been easy to adapt to, as users can see and hear the other attendees.
Even if groups chose not to move online, Brian noted, many groups use schools and churches for meeting places, and as those sites closed, groups would have to find other accommodations.
Rob primarily attends the Primary Purpose group in Jefferson City, which would typically meet at 7:30 a.m. at 2119 Missouri Blvd. Those meetings have been suspended until further notice, and several online meetings have been created with a schedule for members. He said he reluctantly voted to discontinue the meetings, noting connecting and sharing with other people is fundamental for recovery.
"My reluctance to discontinue meetings was based on my concern that the fear, anxiety and isolation connected with COVID-19 might provide rationalization and justification to drink - a life-and-death matter," Rob said. "This virus, however, also is a life-and-death matter. I believe we all have a responsibility to maintain physical distance at this time. I stopped attending meetings in early March not only to protect my health but also to protect my brothers and sisters in sobriety."
Isolation is not often healthy for those in recovery, Rob said, but today's technology helps to bridge that gap and allow people to stay connected. That connection, whether through phone calls or in a digital meeting place, is so important, he said, because of the natural tendencies of those in recovery to not heed the advice of others outside their groups.
"Those of us in recovery shy away from advice and stick to our own experience and what is working and not working to support our own recovery," Rob said. "We share these experiences with those that have a desire to stop drinking or may be struggling with their own recovery."
Brian said the online meetings have long been available, but local groups had no reason to use that platform before the spread of COVID-19. He said things have been smooth so far, but anything could happen.
"I'm sure there's going to continue to be challenges," Brian said.
For those who are suffering from addiction and would like to seek help, Rob suggested checking with the Missouri Recovery Network for resources specific to particular addictions and how best to seek help in Mid-Missouri.
"Like everyone else, we are adapting to this new reality," Rob said.