In an infectious disease outbreak, when social distancing and self-quarantine are needed to limit and control the spread of the disease, continued social connectedness to maintain recovery are critically important. Virtual resources can and should be used during this time.
This tip sheet describes resources that can be used to virtually support recovery from mental/substance use disorders. It also provides resources to help local recovery programs create virtual meetings.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Offers online support Website: http://aa-intergroup.org/
Cocaine Anonymous: Offers online support and services. Website: https://www.ca-online.org/
LifeRing: LifeRing Secular Recovery offers online support. Website: https://www.lifering.org/online-meetings
In The Rooms – Online Recovery Meetings: Provides online support through live meetings and discussion groups. Website: https://www.intherooms.com/home/
Marijuana Anonymous: Offers virtual support Website: https://ma-online.org/
Narcotics Anonymous: Offers a variety of online and skype meeting options. Website: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/
Reddit Recovery: Offers a virtual hang out and support during recovery. Website: https://www.reddit.com/r/REDDITORSINRECOVERY/
Refuge Recovery: Provides online and virtual support. Website: http://bit.ly/refugerecovery1
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery: Offers global community of mutual-support groups, forums including a chat room and message board. Website: https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/
SoberCity: Offers an online support and recovery community. Website: https://www.soberocity.com/
Sobergrid: Offers an online platform to help anyone get sober and stay sober. Website: https://www.sobergrid.com/
Soberistas: Provides a women-only international online recovery community. Website: https://soberistas.com/
Sober Recovery: Provides an online forum for those in recovery and their friends and family. Website: https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/
We Connect Recovery: Provides daily online recovery groups for those with substance use and mental illness. Website: https://www.weconnectrecovery.com/freeonline-support-meetings
Unity Recovery + WEconnect + Alano Club: Providing daily virtual meeting for those in recovery and for their family members. Website: https://unityrecovery.org/digital-recoverymeetings
RECOVERY RESOURCES AND SUPPORTS
The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide Website: http://bit.ly/NAMIresource
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation contains online support meetings, blogs, mobile apps, social media groups, and movie suggestions, including the online support community, The Daily Pledge: Website: https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/recovery/tools/daily-pledge
“Tips for Staying Connected and Safeguarding Your Addiction Recovery”: Website: http://bit.ly/HBF-Tips
Shatterproof: “How I’m Coping with COVID-19 and Social Isolation as a Person in Long-Term Recovery” provides helpful suggestions. Website: http://bit.ly/shatterproof-coping
The Chopra Center: “Anxious About the Coronavirus? Here Are Eight Practical Tips on How to Stay Calm and Support Your Immune System.” Website: http://bit.ly/Chopra-calm
Helpful Resources: Hotlines
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline
- Toll-Free: 1-800-985-5990 (English and español)
- SMS: Text TalkWithUs to 66746
- SMS (español): “Hablanos” al 66746
- TTY: 1-800-846-8517
- Website (English): http://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov
- Website (Español): http://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov/espanol.aspx
SAMHSA’s National Helpline
- Toll-Free: 1-800-662-HELP (24/7/365 Treatment Referral Information Service in English and español)
- Website: http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/nationalhelpline
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Toll-Free (English): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Toll-Free (español): 1-888-628-9454
- TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
- Website (English): http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- Website (español): http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/gethelp/spanish.aspx
Treatment Locator Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator Website:
- http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/locator/home
- For help finding treatment 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- Website: https://findtreatment.gov/
- SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center
- Toll-Free: 1-800-308-3515
- Email: DTAC@samhsa.hhs.gov
- Website: http://www.samhsa.gov/dtac
Please note that I do not endorse any one way of recovering over another. Every journey is different.