NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Some addiction recovery meetings aren't happening as people self-isolate to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Being stuck in a home alone can be hard on everyone, but it's especially difficult on people who are recovering from addiction.
"They need to utilize the phone, they need to reach out to their sponsors, they need to communicate with folks via Facebook," Pamela Sessions said.
Sessions is the CEO at Renewal House, an addiction treatment facility for women and their children. They have 17 families currently living at their apartment complex.
"We have several treatment situations occurring now at Renewal House, we are providing services for clients in groups, but of course those clients are smaller sizes," Sessions said.
However, not everyone in treatment programs live on a campus. Many people are home alone where stress, and routine changes, can lead to alcohol and drug relapse.
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, church group meetings, and therapy sessions are being held through group video chats in some cases. "Communicating with our clients via telehealth is better than not being able to communicate with them at all," Sessions said.
In addition, many treatment facilities are trying to keep the number of residents down as everyone works together to slow the spread of COVID-19.
"Renewal house is currently not allowing visitors on our campus at this time. We are not accepting admissions at this time," Sessions said.
If you don't have internet, many specialists are having phone calls with people who need it.
