Even the Samaritans — who mercifully counsel troubled strangers contemplating suicide — have been forced into retreat, announcing that while their hotlines will still be monitored 24 hours a day, on-site visits have been suspended in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In the sub rosa world of anonymous support groups, COVID-19 is exacting a devastating price, for while those in that world understand the necessity of staying connected, the advice they’re receiving from outside that world is to maintain separation from one another, avoiding gatherings of 10 or more.
To most, it’s a necessary inconvenience.
But for those engaged in daily warfare with their demons, resistance is found only in groups.
Ask the widow or widower who rolls over in bed at 3 in the morning to agonizingly realize, yet again, that the other side is empty.
Bereavement groups discuss such feelings.
It’s the single mom or dad who’s so often overwhelmed by that singular responsibility.
Parents Without Partners offers empathy and advice.
As Johnny Cash noted in a forlorn ballad, “Flesh and blood needs flesh and blood.”
Maybe the problem is gambling. Maybe it’s pornography.
Whatever it is, there’s encouragement to be found sitting around a table behind closed doors with others who understand because they’ve been there, too.
An embroidered sign is often seen above doorways leading into such meetings; it reads, “We can do what I couldn’t.”
It’s another way of reaffirming Kipling’s observation that the strength of the pack is in the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is in the pack.
That’s especially true for those battling substance abuse, those who know one drink is too many and a thousand aren’t enough, those who realize they’re just one drink away from being the drunk they used to be.
What a frightening thought.
There was once an athlete in this town — call him Bob — who was wildly cheered for his toughness; he was indeed ferocious.
Bob dropped out of sight for a while, then called here one night, explaining he’d just been released from an out-of-state facility renowned for dealing with alcoholics.
“They told me to go to 30 meetings in 30 days as soon as I got home,” he said. “So I went to my first one tonight. I was never so scared because I knew everyone there would recognize me. But then I thought, ‘I was never embarrassed to be falling down drunk in a bar; why should I be embarrassed to be sober?’
“So I opened the door, said, ‘Hi, I’m Bob,’ and they all said, ‘Hi, Bob!’ back to me.’ It was great.”
Bob would be going to a meeting tonight, but COVID-19 has closed the doors.
It’s a totally indiscriminate disease.
So if you’re keeping a list of those it’s devastated, give some thought to those whose names you’ll never know.
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March 23, 2020 at 03:33AM
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Coronavirus toll includes support groups, where so many find strength - Boston Herald
"Many" - Google News
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