staying sober during pandemic

talked with someone in recovery

York.

Social isolation is hard for most of us...people rely on social- interaction...need that sense of community to keep them on track.

Abc 36's christy bolllinger talked with someone in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction about how hard it is right now to stay sober since society's safety net is temporarily gone.

Erich karsner is 17 months sober.

This is what sobriety usually looks like for him.take sot: :06 "going to meetings, communicating with my sponsor, just going to social gatherings."

Take vo: all things not possible during the coronavirus pandemic.

"it's a little bit different now.

Mostly it's zoom meetings is basically all you can do.

I've been talking to my sponsor over the phone."

Karsner says thankfully for him...going virtual works..

But for others, it may not be enough.

"people in early sobriety may be struggling with this.

Human interaction is very important and i really believe going to aa meetings, seeing your friends, and your sponsor and just interacting with other people is very important."

The hope center says this is a hard time for some of the people living in its emergency shelters.

"so, we do see some of our clients who are struggling and also missing family because they're used to being able to see them."

That's why it's now offering virtual alcoholics anonymous and narcotics anonymous meetings.

Clients sit six feet apart and view the meeting on a projector screen.

"they're still hearing the same message and getting the same support."

The only way it isn't what they're used to... there are now fewer people in the meeting rooms..

To practice social distancing.

"quantrell auto group did donate 6 laptop computers which are needed to make this possible and also voices of hope has been a really great partner in making the virtual meetings and speakers possible."

The hope center and karsner want those in recovery to know there are resources available.

Karsner says this difficult time will test you... but don't let it break you.

"in recovery there are setbacks but you just gotta push through em.

This is just really to show how strong someone can be to stay sober."

Christy bollinger, abc 36 news.

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