VIEWING OBSTACLES AS OPPURTUNITES

In the past several months the coronavirus has altered our normal. Someone once said that the opposite of addiction is connection. Connection during social isolation has been an obstacle for many of us, especially those of us in recovery. Meetings have gone virtual, as well as treatment. Schools and offices have closed and going to the grocery store has become quite the endeavor. Our routines have been fractured and lives have been turned upside down. We know how important connectedness is to recovery and we know how detrimental isolation can be for the addict. Like all people in this career, I have deep empathy for my clients and my hope is that they all succeed. Coronavirus brought on new triggers and hindered some coping skills. My clients were faced with new obstacles and were asked to adapt. Despite these obstacles, the success that has been shared with me has been overwhelming. It has been truly amazing to watch the resiliency of so many of my clients. I am amazed everyday at the continued sobriety, the development of new coping skills, and the identification of new triggers. The resiliency of my clients is nothing short of inspiring to me.

I notice lately that I speak with my clients more about mindfulness and the opposites to their emotions. We know that the opposite of anger is happiness, so when we are angry we do something that makes us happy. The opposite of fear might be safety and the opposite of anxious might be calm. The problem continued to be that the activities that my clients found calmed them or brought them joy are no longer available during the pandemic. To this problem, we have sought numerous solutions. I am in awe now, weeks later, to hear the adaptations my clients have made in their lives to continue to be successful in their recovery. They have started gardens in their backyard. They meditate with their children. They are reorganizing closets and learning to sew or knit. Many have started workout routines in their homes and several others are finding their creative side in cooking, painting, or drawing. What seemed like a hindrance in the beginning turned into a chance for many. They have taken this opportunity to tap into a creative space within themselves and it’s beautiful.

I continue to have hard days but I am reminded regularly that there is hope. The impacts of this pandemic are felt everyday but our response is what we control. We can adapt. We can succeed. Brené Brown said, “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change”. Instead of an obstacle, I see that for many of my clients this was an opportunity. I am grateful to be a part of their change process and inspired to know their stories.

Rachael Winkles, LMSW

Therapist/Criminal Justice Specialist