Sobriety a Challenge During Coronavirus Crisis

Thousands of Alcoholics Anonymous in-person meetings have been canceled due to compliance for social distancing, and that has many members worried.

One of them is Reagan Reed, 32, executive director of New York’s Inter-Group Association of AA, and a recovering alcoholic herself. She tells Daily News that a public emergency coupled with isolation can be a tipping point for some members.

“At times like this, during a crisis, when everybody is most vulnerable,” she says. “Alcoholics tend to be depressive and isolating by nature, so being in a room for a meeting, having your butt in a chair, listening to others share their experiences, is really what’s so necessary,” she says.

AA’s clearinghouse known as the General Service Office, has refrained from issuing broad guidelines about whether meetings should be canceled or how they should handle the coronavirus threat.

According to Vice, many groups already are changing their format from ‘in-person’ to online. Platforms like Zoom, Google Hangouts, or a conference call are springing up as alternatives. AA also has an online resource page.

These online groups are proving to be lifeline for many. Actress Ashley Tisdale shared her family’s gratitude for the service as social distancing was starting to take hold.

“Thank you Alcoholics Anonymous for having a streaming service at your meetings. My husband was able to stream his favorite meeting. Anyone else who doesn’t feel great about leaving the house check out the zoom app,” she wrote on a Twitter post.

Her husband Christopher French added his gratitude: “Yeah, it’s kind of amazing to be able to connect with 12-step recovery meetings from home,” he said.