The COVID Lockdown is a worldwide reality and people are bound to observe its rules whether they like it or not. While the Coronavirus is very dangerous to humanity, addiction is another giant killer of a different breed. With the closure of alcohol outlets, one community severely hit by the Lockdown regulations are regular alcohol users – social drinkers, problem drinkers, and regular alcoholics.
The media has carried several reports of alcohol denial related to suicides. These came in within a week of the start of the lockdown. After a while, it seems to have plateaued though there are reports of home breweries, online scams and backdoor purchases of liquor.
Two inferences can be drawn from the fact that the reports of suicide have dried up – one, it means the withdrawal symptoms have come down and detoxification stage is almost over or second and less likely, that they have found an alternate watering spot.
Given that the former is mostly the case, it is necessary that therapeutic assistance, psycho-education and counseling services.
Recovery Online is a therapeutic package offered online for regular alcohol users who are hit by the COVID Lockdown so that they don’t go back to alcohol consumption again.
It is an attempt to convert this “crises into an opportunity” and aimed at assisting at least a few people to sustain their sobriety even after lockdown is lifted.
Lockdown is a blessing in disguise for regular Alcohol users who not only saved a lot of money from alcohol consumption, parties, celebrations and friendship gatherings but also have almost freed from withdrawals and gaining better health.
A lot of families have started experiencing peace and happiness now.
While this medical and economic gain is visible and automatic, their mental health remains untouched and badly requires therapeutic support, counseling, and psycho-education to sustain their sobriety.
Recovery Online works on two simple platforms:
- Forming a network of volunteers who are qualified addiction counselors to give free online services, (called Therapists), and
- Forming a network of Regular alcohol users/ alcohol dependents who might seek psychological assistance, (called members, hereafter)
So, it will function as an Online therapeutic community of therapists and members who share the common objectives of continuing sobriety even after the lockdown is lifted.
Alcohol de-addiction is an expensive process, whereas the services offered through Recovery Online is free and offered by very competent psychologists and counselors. Besides offering therapeutic services by designated therapists on an individual basis, the members can also join an online therapeutic Community for mutual support.
Learning too will be continuous. There will be regular uploading of scholarly articles, therapeutic guidelines, webinars on relevant topics, online counseling services through skype, messenger or telephone, etc through this forum in English or local languages.
Recovery online is conducting a survey for the next ten days on your interest in giving up alcohol beyond the lockdown or being a part of the volunteer team of therapeutic counselors.
Take two minutes and fill up the attached form from this link: www.ecolinkrecovery.com/recovery-online
Recovery Online is an initiative under the Ecolink Institute of Wellbeing & Ecolink Recovery Homes, Mangalore in association with Newskarnataka.com and Globaltv.in. It is headed by Dr. Thomas Scaria, Ph.D., De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Expert.
Dr. Scaria holds a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Counseling and Psychology (on De-addiction & Rehabilitation) and is an Internationally Certified addiction counselor (Level II) with certification from Global Centre for Credentialing & Certification (GCCC), UK and Colombo Plan.
Prior to joining Colombo Plan, Thomas worked as the Founder Director of Link de-addiction Centre, managed by Link AACC, from 1992 till 2009.
For details contact: Ronnie Thomas, Ecolink Recovery Homes: +91 8073168164 /7676529017,or
Thomas: +919448327209: Email: ELRecoveryonline@gmail.com
