In last month’s “coronavirus lessons for recovery” post, we discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic presents many opportunities for practicing acceptance in recovery. So much of our world is different, unknown, painful, and scary right now as a result of this virus—for everyone, but especially for your addiction treatment patients. 

Program protocol is changing. Rules that govern visitations and meetings are in flux. For a population that thrives on routine, COVID-19’s changes are disruptive at best. Acceptance—long held as a key recovery skill—is the antidote to the tension and anxiety many patients are feeling in relationship to these changes.    

Today, we’ll learn how another key recovery skill—service—is taking on new relevance and meaning during the pandemic. We’ll also identify some especially “teachable moments” that you’re likely to encounter with your addiction treatment patients around service so that you are ready to respond effectively when the opportunity presents itself.

The Importance of Service in Recovery

In many addiction treatment programs, service is prized as a key part of recovery. But what is service, exactly? 

Service is simply the practice of helping other people, usually in an organized, methodical fashion. 

Service is an important part of a holistic recovery program because it:

• Puts the focus on others rather than the self 

• Puts the focus on the present rather than the past/future 

• Occupies dangerous idle time with productive, recovery-friendly activities

• Helps build recovery-friendly relationships 

• Contributes to improved self-image and self-worth

Active addiction is a very self-centered activity that leaves little time for the consideration of others. Addiction teaches us to focus nearly all of our attention on acquiring and using our substance of choice. As our dependence on drugs and alcohol deepens, our relationship with our substance of choice becomes the most important relationship in our lives. Early recovery, too, is a largely self-centered process that puts an emphasis on self-reflection and self-improvement. 

Service presents an opportunity for people with SUD to shift their focus from self and substance to the people around them. This pro-social reorientation is healing not only for the person with SUD but also for their friends, family, and community.    

Service During COVID-19

The good news is that the novel coronavirus—as scary and unnerving as it may be—affords many opportunities for your patients to practice and re-align with service, even during times that call for social distancing.

Reframe pro-social behaviors like hand-washing and social distancing as “service” opportunities. If any residents are exposed to COVID-19 and need to be isolated from the general population at your center, it’s likely they’ll need meals and other necessities delivered to their door. These deliveries are wonderful service opportunities for your patients. 

Service doesn’t need to be confined to your treatment center, either. There are many ways to be helpful and maintain social distancing during the pandemic. Consider:

• Making masks for first responders and vulnerable populations

• Calling seniors to combat social isolation 

• Assisting vision impaired individuals without access to in-person help with daily tasks 

• Donating blood 

We’re Here to Help 

At BehaveHealth, we are committed to seeing the recovery community through this national crisis by continuing to provide the best all-in-one software solution for addiction treatment providers on the market. 

From routine disinfection scheduling to infectious disease screening, we have updated our platform to include all of the specific functionality you need to navigate today’s world. 

Operating an addiction treatment center during a pandemic is complicated. Now more than ever, your tech should be simple. 

Get exactly what you need for addiction treatment and no more. On any device. Claim your free trial today.