Finding Strength in Uncertainty: RECO’s Response to COVID-19

Our nation is facing an unprecedented crisis of public health that has touched every corner of the globe. For several weeks, we have remained glued to the news, receiving a constant cycle of updates that feed a cycle of fear and anxiety that stems from the unknown.

Many of those who are in recovery from addiction are familiar with this cycle of fear and anxiety; it is in this place that many addictions are born. As professionals in the addiction treatment community, we recognize that in order to combat these circumstances, we must remain more vigilant than ever before.

RECO has taken significant measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients, staff, and all those who are a part of the RECO community. From the moment COVID-19 became a threat to our country and local area, the RECO team was hard at work developing a plan of action that would safeguard our clients’ health, as well as their sobriety.

At RECO we are privileged to help those who are in the early stages of recovery from addiction. We know that this period of sobriety is particularly fragile, as clients typically begin our program after being treated at a higher level of care. For someone who is just beginning to find their independent path in recovery, the chaos of a pandemic creates a tornado of concern.

In times of crisis, addiction treatment becomes doubly important. In times when many businesses are being shuttered, jobs are being lost, and AA meetings are being cancelled, addiction treatment becomes a lifeline.

As federal and state guidelines encourage isolation for those who are of higher risk or that may have been exposed to the virus, thousands of Americans have been forced to spend time alone. Although this is a challenging prospect for anyone, it is particularly troubling for those who are in recovery from addiction, as the foundation of sobriety is often rooted in community.

Addiction professionals are calling the fallout from the global pandemic “a crisis within a crisis” for those that are in recovery. Knowing that addiction is a disease of isolation, the likelihood of facing a relapse during this time of crisis continues to rise as the turmoil of what we are facing persists.

At RECO, we knew we needed to take swift action to protect our clients and to maintain their sense of community in a time when community feels all but lost.

While adhering to all guidelines put forth by the government and local agencies, we have also put into place an overwhelming number of special procedures to maintain the health of our RECO community during this time.

Our staff has worked tirelessly to prepare our residences and facilities to meet the needs of our clients, which has included obtaining thousands of supplies, and furnishing a separate residence for those who may need to be quarantined. Due to the generosity of our staff, we have been able to donate countless more supplies to our local hospitals, police, and fire departments.

Our programs continue and have been fully adapted to accommodate these unforeseen circumstances. Our clinicians are providing proper support to those who may be struggling with crises of mental health and heightened anxieties. Our residences provide a safe space and shelter for our clients as we work as a nation to slow the spread of COVID-19.

We have left no stone unturned, and will work diligently to maintain the integrity of our services in a time when they are needed the most. As a community, we are finding strength in uncertainty; in times of crisis—and in sobriety—we must work together to conquer the unknown.