On Episode 14, Jeff and I sit down and talk in depth about how absolutely fucking brutal “shelter-in-place”, “self-quarantine”, and “isolation” are to folks that are struggling with an addiction or a mental health issue.

This episode is so, so important. It wasn’t my favorite to listen back to… because it’s hard shit we’re all dealing with now. So pardon the lack of hunky-dory, here.

(As I’m writing these episode notes, I’m broken hearted over an email I just received this morning letting us know of a young man’s OD death this morning.)

God! I say “uhh” a lot starting off this pocast. Ugh. Fucking speech class 101, you idiot.

Sorry about that, y’all. New setting.

Check out our new mics! Courtesy of Heil Sound! Thanks to Steve Warford and Heil who donated these baller ass mics to us! Check them out at: https://heilsound.com/! They are some great people and are highly recommended! Call Steve at their shop in Fairview Heights, IL anytime for help with anything sound.

Guys. This isolation shit is real, now, as you all know.

Along with all the heroes out there in the likes of doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, first responders, etc. (this list goes on and on), what is front and center in our hearts and on the top of our prayer lists are those who are struggling with alcoholism, addiction, mental health, grief and overall fucking loneliness.

Self-isolate… is a personal hell for those of us in recovery. I can attest to that personally.

We often live each day, one day at a time, by our routines. We are often regimented on our schedules and leave little room in them for idle time.

Remember that saying, “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” or “playground” or whatever-the-fuck?

There’s so much fucking truth to that.

So, if you find yourself in this new arena of loneliness and are really feeling the temptation of relapse, PLEASE REACH OUT!

In fact, we’ve recently started a Facebook Group “sub-page” off of our Facebook Page (Pondoff’s Anonymous) called Pondoff’s Anonymous – PA Online Meetings. Please join it… we created it to be a safe place for you while you’re unable to attend your meetings. We’re open-minded and ready to listen. And could use anyone with experience in sobriety to help those that show up. Spread the word!

As we close the episode, I want everyone to know that this is real. People can and already have died from the loneliness and their addiction during these short 10-14 days of this isolation. It IS HAPPENING!

So, please, keep your eye out and prayers up for these folks. If you know someone that fits this mold, call them… tell them you love them… and please let them know that we are here to help.

Let us pray.

For real this time. Join us at the end of this episode for a closing prayer.

Amen.

-Chris