The worldwide pandemic and our activities to “flatten the curve” have impacted individuals in addiction recovery and their loved ones. Recovery supports such as in-person meetings along with time spent with sponsors, therapists, and recovery networks may be on pause. At the same time stressors such as concerns for the well-being of ourselves and our loved ones, financial pressures, isolation and loneliness, and disruption of routines have increased. Many have come to rely on online recovery resources, which have proliferated to fill the gaps in needed support. For example, FaceTime or Google Duo or Hangouts with sponsors and other recovery supports have become common. Topping up one’s yoga, meditation, and exercise practices at home or outside while observing safe social distancing also support our recovery. Below are a selection of links to addiction recovery resources; many others exist so please search online for fellowships or resources that are not listed here.

Jewish addiction recovery links

• Beit Tshuvah, Jewish residential addiction treatment in Los Angeles, is offering online addiction recovery programming and live stream Shabbat Services.
• Online programming is also being offered by The Tshuvah Center, Jewish addiction recovery support based in New York.
• Access blog posts from our friends at the Jewish Addiction Awareness Network. 

Meditation and addiction recovery links

• Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a leader in addiction recovery.  This blog post describes the role mindfulness practice can play in supporting recovery and suggests steps to take in one’s mindfulness practice:
• Insight Timer is a platform available via search engine or app with thousands of guided and supportive recovery-related meditations.
• Enso meditation timer is a simple, effective tool to support one’s meditation practice. It is available online and as an app.
• The Institute for Jewish Spirituality offers free, weekly online group meditation on Wednesdays, from 11:30 – 12:15pm Central Time. They are open to everyone, with no experience required. Live meditations are limited to the first 100 people who sign into the room, but all sessions will be recorded for anyone to download and listen to whenever they’d like. Archived meditations are available on the webpage as well.

Lists of online resources compiled by government agencies

• The list of virtual recovery resources compiled by the US government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) is found here.
• The IL Department of Human Services has issued a Smart Alert with an extensive list of online addiction recovery resources, including links related to problem gambling, Adult Children of Alcoholics, Refuge Recovery, Medication Assisted Recovery, crisis services, meditation support, and mental health concerns.

Online Peer Support Meetings

• Alcoholics Anonymous is a 12 Step fellowship for individuals looking for support to become or remain sober from problematic alcohol use.  Online AA meetings in the Chicago area can be found on this meeting locator link:
• Al-Anon is a 12 Step fellowship for loved ones impacted by another’s alcohol use: 
• Alateen is a 12 Step fellowship for youth impacted by a loved one’s alcohol or other drug use.
• Families Anonymous is a 12 Step fellowship for individuals impacted by a loved one’s alcohol or other drug use.
• The In The Rooms Foundation helps those facing addiction find the treatment and resources they need to succeed in recovery.
• SMART Recovery offers “self-empowering approach based on the most current science of recovery.
• JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Dependents and Significant Others) is an independent, peer-led meeting based on 12 Step principles for Jews working any program of recovery (AA, Al-Anon and all others) or otherwise identifying as being in recovery.  JACS gives Jews a time and place to support each other in their recovery journeys. The next online meeting is April 29; subsequent meetings will be the first and third Wednesday of the month. For more information and to be added to the JACS email list, contact JACS. 

JCFS Chicago Warm Line

In addition, the new JCFS Chicago Warm Line phone connection provides assistance for people in Chicago and surrounding areas whose need is not urgent and just looking to talk to someone about their emotional distress. Call the warm line to connect to a chaplain or emotional support professional between 9am and 5pm Monday through Thursday, 9am-4pm Fridays at 855.275.5237. 

If you are experiencing a crisis related to your substance use, please call your physician or mental health provider, or your nearest emergency room. As always, take what you like and leave the rest, and please let us know how we at JCFS Chicago addiction services can support you at this time.

For more information, contact 855.ASK.JCFS (855.275.5237).