Recovery Road

Many parents are supporting their children around the clock these days, while also trying to work. We're managing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a time of stress; accounting for our children's emotions as well can seem impossible. Whether you've got kids at home or not, there's help. In his book Sober Dad: The Manual for Perfectly Imperfect Parenting, Michael Graubart reminds us that, even though we will be imperfect and make amends as needed, we will be there for the ones we love.

Whether we've been working the Twelve Steps for a while, or are new to them, we're experiencing a time like no other during this global pandemic. We're finding new ways to maintain our recovery, so we don't destroy all that we've worked so hard to build. We don't have to do it alone. The Big Book provides us with specific directions for working Step Ten, as well as some clear promises and warnings. Fred H. offers wisdom about emotions and Step 10 in his book Drop the Rock—The Ripple Effect.

Many of us are used to numbing our feelings and checking out, by way of substance use or other process addictions. Feeling our emotions can be new and scary. As we face daily news about a global pandemic, escaping from painful emotions like fear and anger is an enticing option. How do we withstand it? Mindfulness practice helps ground us in the present moment. In Find Your Light: Practicing Mindfulness to Recover from Anything, Beverly Conyers describes the life-saving benefits of mindfulness.

This is a time of change for all of us. Maybe you are experiencing the change from in-person support meetings to virtual connections, job loss, or even the death or illness of a loved one. Some changes are bigger than others, but all major changes require us to grieve what was lost. In her book The Grief Club: The Secret to Getting Through All Kinds of Change, renowned author Melody Beattie explores the comfort and compassion that comes from knowing that others have walked the roads we're on.

During the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are providing care for others, both professionally as well as personally—all while maintaining our own health. Much of the art of caregiving is about paying close attention to a wide range of cues. The skill of active listening can help. We can't offer a hug right now, but we can offer an ear...and a heart. Your recovery will be better for it. We offer some tips from Take Good Care: Finding Your Joy in Compassionate Caregiving by Cynthia Orange.

For people with substance use disorders, the current global health crisis can make conditions worse. Substance use might be heavier, and seeking help can seem even more difficult. If adults with children are struggling, grandparents may be called upon to care for their grandchildren. It might be for a little while, the duration of the pandemic, or longer. The Grandfamily Guidebook: Wisdom and Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, by Andrew Adesman and Christine Ademec, can help.

For many, shame can be paralyzing, and moments of extreme stress or crisis can bring shame rushing to the surface. We need to remember that it's unrealistic to expect ourselves to be perfect, even in the best circumstance. In this time of collective crisis, revisit the basics of shame: what it is, why it hurts, and what to do about it. For help, we turn to shame expert Brené Brown, and her book The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are.

For many experiencing this global crisis in countless local and personal ways, it can start to seem like everything is spinning out of control. Anxiety and uncertainty about the future have created a sense of deep unease. The practice of mindfulness can help change our perspective and provide much-needed peace of mind. Beverly Conyers, author of Find Your Light: Practicing Mindfulness to Recover from Anything, offers five mindful ways to tame your anxiety and nurture your overall well-being.