Coronavirus conditions impacting North Alabama addicts, but help remains

What Partnership for a Drug Free Community is doing to safely serve people in recovery

Individuals to receive care."

New at ten.

New at ten -- experts say people struggling with addiction are more at risk of relapse as routines get disrupted and lives put on pause due to coronavirus restrictions.

Waay31's megan reyna joins us live in huntsville with what the partnership for a drug free community is doing to safely serve people in recovery, megan?

As of right now -- the group's newest program - the recovery resource hub is still operating.

It finds services for those seeking treatment.

But when it comes to recovery support meetings -- like many other things -- they've gone virtual.

Laney says:"a big trigger for a lot of people, is just being lonely."

Pat laney has been clean for more than 25 years.

Laney says:"i can't imagine myself doing anything different."

He's now a certified recovery support specialist... dedicating his time to helping people find a new path in life.

But with a pandemic -- they've been thrown some curve balls laney says:"it's a very unique time, very unique situation, we do not want to not be able to offer services."

A week ago -- the organization chose to hold virtual recovery support meetings using zoom.

Laney says:"you know, it's just one of those things, it gives them 45 minutes where they can talk about their problems and let's face it, we all have fears right now."

And while its too early to tell -- laney does suspect this pandemic could cause more people to relapse.

Laney says:"since it's kinda hit, we've been getting a lot more phone calls about people seeking help."

Laney also told me that there's treatment facilities that aren't taking in as many patients right now due to the coronavirus.

But he says if you or someone you know is in need of treatment -- to give him call.

We'll have his contact information on our website at waay tv dot com reporting in hsv mr