PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The coronavirus pandemic can be especially challenging for people battling addiction.
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Tanya Dean is a dog lover. As the owner of Chewy’s Paws Dog Grooming in Delray Beach, her fury friends are like family.
"My service is to love unconditionally to better the dogs, better the people. I’m a people person and I love being around dogs," said Dean.
It was her worst nightmare when she had to temporarily close her business because of COVID-19. She lost her dogs and her sense of community.
"It definitely took a big hit on me," said Dean.
And her recovery. Dean is six years sober from drugs and alcohol.
"It was actually my mom. She just literally said, you need help. And that’s when I finally surrendered," said Dean.
With no business, no family, or friends Dean said the isolation caused by COVID-19 brought back the emotions she felt before recovery.
"It just made me very uncomfortable, so I actually took a road trip to go see my parents brother and fiancé," said Dean.
Dean said reconnecting with her loved ones helped her stay on track.
Tanya Young Williams, the owner of Pivot Treatment and Wellness Centers, said the pandemic is having a big impact on people recovering from substance disorder.
"People in recovery are used to now having routines in their life, that’s how they get along in their days. But now they cannot go to the meetings every night," said Young Williams.
Young Williams added that isolation can hurt people in recovery, so she suggests taking it slow when it comes to engaging with others.
"Venture out into the reopen, but be pragmatic, go to smaller groups. Go to smaller events. Don’t get yourself so elated that God forbid something makes us close and now you’re back to square one and that can set you back tremendously emotionally and mentally," said Young Williams.
For more information about Pivot Treatment and Wellness Centers, click here.