The nation is once again forced to pause in the wake of yet another devastating hurricane. At Immersion Recovery Center, we are thinking of everyone in the Gulf Coast affected by these difficult times. We wish everyone working a program of addiction recovery in Texas and Louisiana peace and strength during this traumatic event. Naturally, Floridians have a long history of being uprooted by the mother nature’s tempests. We can empathize with your plight.

Working and maintaining a program of addiction recovery is difficult under the best of circumstances. So, it’s fair to say that having your entire city under water presents real challenges to one’s recovery. Because at the end of the day one of the pillars of recovery is routine. Another is stress mitigation. Significant disruptions in one’s weekly recovery schedule, coupled with intense stress and trauma, can wreak havoc on anyone’s program.

Are you one of millions affected by Hurricane Harvey? If so, hopefully you are still able to connect with your support network. We understand that accessing 12 Step meetings might be out of the question. If that is the case, we trust you are doing everything to reach out to your sponsor or peers in the program. Fellowship is needed more than ever in times of tragedy. Without it, you might find yourself heading down a dangerous path, one that could potentially end in relapse.

Addiction Recovery, Comes First

Initial estimates indicate that over 30,000 Americans have been displaced by the Hurricane Harvey. It has been reported at least 31 people have lost their lives in Texas, thus far, and countless homes have been flooded. You may be one of the many whose home became submerged, causing significant damage. If that is the case, it is pretty likely that you are experiencing serious stress and are unsure what you are going to do. Therefore, it is paramount that you remember that no matter what, your addiction recovery comers first.

Your health and safety is of the utmost importance. After food, water and shelter, your recovery should take priority over all else. For without your program, your ability to “recover” from this storm will not be possible. Trials and tribulations require one keep a cool head, and anger in check. It can be easy to get discouraged when thinking of what you have just been through. The list of things you must do to get back on your feet is probably mounting. But, rest assured that the tragedy which has befallen you, like Harvey’s floodwater, will ebb.

Perhaps you’re feeling alone in all this, maybe you were not just displaced from your home, but also your support? If that is the case, please try to keep in mind that your “higher power” is always with you. It is vital that you remain in constant contact with your spiritual buoy. That which has been your guide through the many trials of early recovery, and will be evermore. Keeping your spirituality intact will prevent you from being discouraged, reminding yourself that nothing happens by accident. And that even in tragedy can emerge the strongest of souls.

Asking for Help

Life may never be exactly what it was before the storm. But, if you put your addiction recovery first, you will have options moving forward. If you don’t, well… you probably know where that leads.

In times like this, a significant number of people are likely to have problems keeping their recovery intact. If you or a loved one has relapsed during these trying times, help may be needed. Please contact Immersion Recovery Center. Relapse can happen, it is what one does afterwards that is important.