When the pandemic first hit the world and lockdowns
came into effect, I said it was a bad idea. I said it to colleagues, to friends,
family and on social media. I was constantly mocked and people, full of fear,
said lockdowns were the only way. I stated that we had to balance things out as
the toll on mental health, addictions, etc. would be vast. A recent report by
the Canadian Medical Association finally proves me right.
The rise in
substance abuse is also troubling. The number of opioid-related deaths across
Canada went from roughly 10 per day in 2019 to 17 per day in 2020. In the first
three months of 2021, that figure rose to 20 per day. Hospitalizations for
opioid, alcohol and stimulant abuse all rose as well. (Brian Lilley, Toronto
Sun, Nov. 30/21)
When the first lockdown hit everything shut down
including 12 Step meetings. Fortunately, there was Zoom and people were able to
meet on that. However, for those who did not have proper Wi-Fi, were technologically
unsavvy, etc. it was not helpful. I remember being booted out of meetings due
to Wi-Fi issues myself. It was very frustrating. The Province of Ontario,
Canada finally declared 12 Step meetings essential, and people could meet in
person. Unfortunately, fear had already set in, and the majority of meetings
did not reopen for a very long time. Luckily, my home group did not let fear
get in the way of fulfilling the 12th Step and we opened our doors.
For a long time, we were the only group in my area that had face-to-face meetings.
I remember the first meeting we had after the original lockdown – it was a
spiritual experience. I realized the importance of seeing and talking to people
in person rather than via a camera. Many AA members were so grateful they joined
the group.
With the introduction of vaccines, etc. the world
started to reopen and so did many 12 Step groups. However, now they have started
asking people to write their name and phone number down before entering. I have
over 16 years sobriety and wasn’t bothered by this at all. However, for a
newcomer who is wary of coming to a meeting, and is dependent on anonymity to
get them through the doors, this move may have turned them away. As anyone in
recovery knows the window for change is very small and once an obstacle comes
in your way one will return to their comfort zone – active addiction. This can
be deadly and for many during the pandemic it was. Canada had it’s most
overdoses ever. A sad state of affairs indeed.
Now I see AA
members demanding that we ask for a vaccine passport. To me this breaks
Tradition 10, “Alcoholics Anonymous
has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into
public controversy. I understand this
demand is based on fear. Fear guided me through my active years in addiction.
When I got sober, completed the Steps and “recovered from a seemingly hopeless
state of mind and body” (Big Book, 1939) I let go of fear and continue to try
my best not to let it control my life today. It’s time to for us to stick to
the basics and to follow through with Step 12, “Having had a spiritual awakening
as the results of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and
to practice these principles in all our affairs”.
Dave
the Dude
