6 TOOLS TO HELP YOU AVOID SUBSTANCE ABUSE DURING A PANDEMIC

We have never been through anything like this. Not where our worlds have forcibly been halted. It’s like a nightmare we can’t get out of and to be honest, I really wonder how many of us really have the tools to handle it?

For those who have battled substance abuse this is probably the greatest challenge they will ever face. And on top of facing a pandemic, people are having to rearrange their lives, they are losing their jobs, they are going bankrupt and the recovery gathering places that have saved them from relapse over and over again, have been closed because most AA, NA, or other recovery meetings will have 10 or more people and that is against the rules.

So what can you do? The natural reaction to this kind of enormous stress is to head to the liquor store and stock up with as much booze as possible to get you through the pain and fear of the future. Perhaps you cope by using some other kind of substance or behavior that takes you out of the scary reality that we are all facing but have you played it to the end? Will making the decision to drink or use solve the problem or will it create more? For many people one drink is too many and a thousand isn’t enough. Once you start it’s too late to try to make a good decision because the addiction has kicked in and it’s all downhill from there.

Here are a few tools to make it through this and any other crisis

Play it to the end! Remember how that last big drunk went. Where did you end up? How did you feel when it was all over? How much damage was done? Do you really want to go there again?
Don’t try and do it alone! In this digital era there is no excuse to be alone. At any given moment you can text, call, email, message or video chat people all over the world. Pick up the phone, the computer or the IPad and reach out!
Live for today! Yesterday is gone and tomorrow isn’t here. Cherish today and live each day to the fullest because none of us know what tomorrow will bring. Love your friends and family and make a difference in the world.
Get off the pity pot. Yes life is tough. Things are impacting you in a major way. But you aren’t the only one that is facing a terrible situation. Feeling sorry for yourself is not going to help anyone.
Acceptance is the key to all of your problems. Expectations are premeditated resentments. If you get stuck in how you think things were going to go you are going to be miserable because the fact is STUFF HAPPENS whether we like it or not.
God works all things together for the good. He has a purpose for all of us and how we weather these storms can give others hope. That’s why we are here and you may be the only faucet of hope that those watching you have to show them that this too shall pass.

So as you pack some of these tools into your tool box be sure to share them with others. We all need reminders in times of trouble that we have a friend who cares who has some things to offer we can learn from. In the meantime, slow down and seize the day! Stay sober and make a positive difference in the world!

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Linda Larson Schlitz is a Counselor and Life Coach, Author and Speaker who specializes in working with people with substance abuse and mental illness. She has also worked win churches for over 40 years and understands the challenges when Christians get caught in an addiction. To get more tools from Linda download a free sample of her new book Speak to Me God I’m Listening -365 Daily Meditations for Those Who Want To Hear God Answer Life’s Toughest Questions.