COVID-19 and Substance Abuse: Where to Get Help

In these trying times it seems many are turning to alcohol to help get through social distancing.

U.S. sales of alcoholic beverages rose 55% in just one week in March and while many joke about the past time on social media, for others this is an incredibly difficult time.

WATE 6 On Your Side spoke with the regional substance abuse coordinator for Centerstone Regional, which provides mental health and substance use disorder services.

He says for many, this is a very isolating time and can cause anxiety.

“Treat your mind like a bad neighborhood. Don’t go there alone. When you need to sit there and think, and you get lost in your thoughts. Sometimes that’s not the best place to be. The opposite of addiction is connection. Finding ways to stay connected to people.” Michael Reynolds - Centerstone Regional Substance Abuse Coordinator

There is still help out there, despite the pandemic.

The East Tennessee Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous moving their meetings online through Zoom.

You can find the schedule at etiaa.org; you can also dial into a meeting by calling 408-638-0968.

CORONAVIRUS NEWS:

• Coronavirus Timeline: State, county COVID-19 case counts continue to climb; Gov. Lee sets date for safer-at-home order to expire April 30

• CHART: Tennessee Department of Health’s count of coronavirus cases by day in state

• List: COVID-19 assessment sites in East Tennessee

• Congress set to pass $483B virus aid as Trump eyes next deal

• CDC chief says there could be second, possibly worse coronavirus outbreak this winter

• Trump says he’ll help New York’s Cuomo boost virus testing

• US OKs 1st coronavirus test that allows self-swab at home

• Southern states largely go it alone in reopening decisions

• Second phase of Vanderbilt COVID-19 antibody research begins

• Regional county mayors meeting in Knoxville to address economic recovery plans

• Sevier County offering testing five days a week, Knox County alters testing due to high demand

• Pigeon Forge business owners talk May reopening plans

• Criminal records keep small-business owners from aid program

• ‘COVID toes’: Puzzling condition a possible coronavirus symptom in young people

• New Zealand could pull off bold goal of eliminating virus

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