WACO, TX — Going through this pandemic can be especially difficult if you are in addiction recovery.
Music is therapy for Musician Stephany A-Chavira who battle a drug addiction for seven years.
"The second you decide a substance is less important than your purpose, that's the second you start re-living your life," said Stephany. Now she's trying to protect her sobriety during the shelter-at-home order. "My first week it was bad. It was terrible," said Stephany. Now she's trying to protect her sobriety during the shelter-at-home order."My first week it was bad. It was terrible," said Stephany.
A virtual meeting with a recovery Facebook group has been crucial."We have things that we don't realize is triggering us. Now that we are stuck at home, it's triggering," she said.
The women at Sunshine Recovery House in Waco also attend 12-step meetings virtually now. "We have seen that sales in alcohol have increased by over 50% in the last two weeks nationwide. That shows people are using alcohol and drugs to help calm themselves during uncertain times," said Summer Shine.
Summer Shine says her own sponsor is offering support during a time when isolation can be crippling. "At the end of all of this you are going to realize how strong you are and you can make it through anything sober," said Summer.Summer says eating well, exercise and projects can help. "Today we started a total rehab of the sober living house. It's been cool to see how they're coming together uniquely and how the recovery community is supporting each other as a whole," she said.
Summer and Stephany both say if during this time you relapse or realize that you have an addiction, you aren't alone.
"Recovery is possible for everybody," said Stephany. "The best message to hear is there is always hope. If you are alive and breathing there is always hope for tomorrow," said Summer.
If you'd like to help the Sunshine Recovery House in their renovations and during the COVID-19 Pandemic you can learn more information: https://www.sunshinerecoveryhouse.com/.
You can learn more about their mission here.
To learn more about virtual AA meetings go to https://centexintergroup.com/.
