The Illinois Department of Human Services/ Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR) is dedicated to all of the Illinois residents throughout the state who use our services. We hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and comfortable as you practice physical distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We also know how hard social distancing for COVID-19 can be, especially for those in recovery. We hope that the resources below will be helpful for anyone who may feel increased isolation or disconnection from their usual recovery support networks during these potentially destabilizing times.
Here are guidelines from SAMHSA for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation during an infectious disease outbreak: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tips-social-distancing-quarantine-isolation-031620.pdf
The following resources will assist you in connecting virtually with the support networks that are crucial for your well-being and recovery efforts. You will find FREE digital resources in the following categories. Please share this webpage with friends, family, recovery providers, clients, and throughout your communities, wherever applicable:
- General Communication
- Virtual Support Communities for Individuals in Recovery
- Substance Use Disorder and Problem Gambling
- Problem Gambling
- Virtual Meetings for Individuals in Recovery and Individuals Affected by Substance Use Disorder and Problem Gambling
- Other Digital Resources for Managing Recovery
- General Mental Health & Wellness Digital Resources
- Meditation & Mindfulness Digital Resources
- Crisis Services
To speak with a trained volunteer for support and advice, or to be directed to customized resources for Substance Use Disorder or Problem Gambling, call the Illinois Helpline for Opioids & Other Substances, or We Know The Feeling (Problem Gambling)
- Illinois Helpline for Opioids & Other Substances
- We Know The Feeling (Problem Gambling)
General Communication
During social distancing, the best way to communicate with your friends, loved ones, and other recovery supports is through email and texts. Here are some instructional videos walking you through the set up and use of these technologies:
How to set up an email account with Google (Gmail):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp_5GFaLPPA&feature=youtu.be
How to Use What's App for general communication or recovery support:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ResFNbJpJ-A&feature=youtu.be
Virtual Support Communities for Individuals in Recovery
Substance Use Disorder and Problem Gambling
In The Rooms
https://www.intherooms.com/home/
A global recovery community with the mission of "giving recovering addicts a place to meet and socialize when they're not in face-to-face meetings"
Sobergrid
https://www.sobergrid.com/
Sober Grid is the largest mobile sober community and is a FREE personalized, easy-to-access resource for tracking and sharing progress with others, giving and receiving support. Now with?24/7 live peer coaching!
rTribe
https://rtribe.org/
This app allows you to create an anonymous profile, connect with others via individual or group messaging, track your recovery, share your progress, and reach out when you are feeling triggered. The app also tracks your days in sobriety and your check-ins.
The Tribe: A free wellness support online community
https://support.therapytribe.com/addiction-support-group/
Peer-to-peer support group for individuals and loved ones in the process of on-going addiction recovery. For many, recovery from addiction is a daily struggle. Traditional treatment methods are only a part of the recovery process. Daily choices and continued support from friends, family and others like themselves are a critical part of the road to recovery.
Problem Gambling
Gambling Therapy: Support Forums
Active gambling support forums are available 24/7 and as people use our site from all over the world there's usually someone around to respond to your posts.
Gamtalk
https://www.gamtalk.org/
A supportive community helping people with problem gambling issues share their experiences and ideas. This website features live chats, a community wall sharing forum, and inspirational stories.
Virtual Meetings for Individuals in Recovery and Individuals Affected by Substance Use Disorder and Problem Gambling
Online recovery support meetings are a great resource for folks who cannot attend face-to-face meetings. Many people in recovery also use online meetings to broaden their understanding of recovery at a world-wide level, sharing experience, strength and hope with members from different recovery groups in communities around the world.
In The Rooms
https://www.intherooms.com/home/category/community-and-meetings/
Online meetings from the global recovery community.
Refuge Recovery
Refuge Recovery meetings consist of meditation, reading Refuge Recovery literature, and group sharing. Refuge Recovery is based on non-religious Buddhist principles
Never Alone Club
https://www.neveraloneclub.org/
24/7 Recovery Chatroom and Online Meetings -- A group of Narcotics Anonymous with daily online meetings where those seeking recovery can chat 24/7 for support and fellowship. You do not have to use your real name or create an account. Just click the button to join.
The Buddhist Recovery Network
https://www.buddhistrecovery.org/meetingslisting/meetings/Telephone+-+Online.htm
Online and telephone meetings. The Buddhist Recovery Network promotes the use of Buddhist teachings and practices to help people recover from the suffering caused by addictive behaviors and is open to people of all backgrounds, and respectful of all recovery paths.
Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous (MARA) Online Meetings
A support group who believe in the value of medication as a means to recovery.
Narcotics Anonymous Online Meetings:
Alcoholics Anonymous Online Intergoup
Alcoholics Anonymous Online Intergoup (OIAA) is here to serve our online groups; carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous; provide a resource for A.A. information; and a listing of online A.A. groups.
Gambling Therapy: Online Meetings
Online support groups for problem gamblers, their friends and family
Chicagoland Gambler's Anonymous
Other scheduled phone/online meetings: http://www.gachicago.org/meeting.html
Al-Anon Electronic Meetings
https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/
Electronic meetings, like all Al-Anon meetings, offer help and hope to anyone who is affected by alcoholism in a family member or friend.
Adult Children of Alcoholics/ Dysfunctional Families
https://adultchildren.org/quick-search/?onlinebt=Click+Here
ACA provides a safe, nonjudgmental environment that allows us to grieve our childhoods and conduct an honest inventory of ourselves and our family.
Live4Lali
- Substance-related grief support online meetings
- Peer Support meetings
Other Digital Resources for Managing Recovery
Inspirations from Hazelden (Available on iOS) (Available on Google Play)
Need motivational daily readings to inspire you to stay committed to your recovery? Inspirations provides unique message each day addressing themes of sobriety, codependency, shame, relapse, mental health, and more for you to meditate and reflect on.
Connections
To help support individuals in recovery from substance use disorder, Addiction Policy Forum has partnered with CHESS Health to launch the Connections App, a free smartphone app that is scientifically proven to support patients in recovery
NoMo (Available on iOS) (Available on Google Play)
NoMo can help you track your days free from addictions to substances, shopping, gambling and other behaviors that have become problematic. You can also share your trackers with other users including family and friends. If you find yourself stressed or triggered, use the journal feature or breathing games for support. App is free, except online counseling is available with in-app purchases.
SMART Cost Benefit Analysis
https://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/cba-4-questions/
Feeling the urge to engage in an addictive behavior? Use SMART Cost Benefit Analysis to what your behaviors are costing you as well as what they are providing for you. This tool helps put into perspective both the benefits and costs with an addictive behavior.
Sobertool (Available on IOS) (Available on Google Play)
Having relapse thoughts? Need motivation? Sobertool features a substance use sobriety counter, a relapse prevention motivation tool, and a private community forum for users to share their experiences.
Here is a short instructional video on using the Sobertool app:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHy6rg5WqrQ&feature=youtu.be
WEconnect
https://www.weconnectrecovery.com/
Provides daily reminders to stay on track with your recovery plan. You can create reminders to call your sponsor, go to a group meeting, or meditate-anything you need to provide that extra push. You can also check in to activities such as 12-step meetings, outpatient treatment, group therapy, church, or one-on-one meetings with a coach or sponsor. The app includes a list of "clarity routines" that you can mark off throughout your day.
recoveryBox - (Available on iOS)
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/recovery-box-12-step-toolbox/id1452072215
A recovery and accountability toolset. The app helps users break habits by allowing them to track their daily activities on a calendar using red, yellow, and green color coding so that users can learn how to identity behaviors that will inhibit progress towards recovery.
Gambling Therapy GT App (Available on iOS) (Available on Google Play)
A free app providing a collection of tools and information to help you identify and overcome problem gambling.
General Mental Health & Wellness Digital Resources
Mindfulness Coach - Free multi-platform app
https://mobile.va.gov/app/mindfulness-coach
Mindfulness Coach was created by the U.S Department of Veteran's Affairs National Center for PTSD. This app provides self-guided trainings on mindfulness, exercises, and quizzes to track your progress. Use this app to learn how mindfulness can improve emotional balance, increase self awareness, relieve anxiety and depression, and help cope with chronic pain more effectively.
Self-Help for Anxiety Management (SAM)
IPhone: https://apps.apple.com/app/sam/id666767947
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moodtools.cbtassistant.app&hl=en
SAM might be perfect for you if you're interested in self-help, but meditation isn't your thing. Users are prompted to build their own 24-hour anxiety toolkit that allows you to track anxious thoughts and behavior over time, and learn 25 different self-help techniques. You can also use SAM's "Social Cloud" feature to confidentially connect with other users in an online community for additional support.
CBT Thought Record Diary (Available on iOS) (Available on Google Play)
Use this digital thought diary to identify your emotions, analyze inconsistencies in your thinking, and change your perspective. Using elements of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), this app helps you recognize ways to reframe old beliefs and emotional responses.
Happify - (Available on iOS) (Available on Google Play)
Need a happy fix? With its psychologist-approved mood-training program, the Happify app is your fast-track to a good mood. Try various engaging games, activity suggestions, gratitude prompts and more to train your brain as if it were a muscle, to overcome negative thoughts. The best part? Its free!
Moodtracker
https://www.moodtracker.com/
MoodTracker.com is a simple web app that lets you track important health measurements like depression and anxiety levels, sleep, water intake, and many others -- each recorded on a vibrant chart. The app also includes medication tracking, reminders, and the ability to share your charts with members of your wellness team.
My Craziness Index (Available on Google Play)
This app helps you keep track of your daily activities for the next 12 weeks. It combines several methods of tracking self-care developed by world's best therapists.
Here is a short instructional video on using the My Craziness Index app
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqnzQvbYL2I&feature=youtu.be
Meditation & Mindfulness Digital Resources
Breathe2Relax (Available on iOS) (Available on Google Play)
This app is a portable stress management tool that teaches users a skill called diaphragmatic breathing. Breathe2Relax works by decreasing the body's 'fight-or-flight' stress response, making it a great option for people suffering from PTSD.
Smiling Mind (Available on iOS) (Available on Google Play)
This app makes being mindful easy. They have options for both formal and informal mindfulness as well as mindfulness exercises for the whole family to participate in. There is also short and long meditates and lessons to take use. You can download this app on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Crisis Services
Samaritans 24/7 Crisis Services
877-870-4673 (Toll-free)
https://samaritanshope.org/our-services/247-crisis-services/
24 hours/7 days a week emergency emotional support, you can get help from a trained volunteer offering non-judgmental support through phone, text, or online chat. All services are free, confidential, and anonymous.
Lifeline
1-800-273-8255 (toll free)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/
No matter what problems you're dealing with, whether or not you're thinking about suicide, if you need someone to lean on for emotional support, call the Lifeline.
This project is supported wholly or in part through a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (TI-081699). For further questions, please contact Mariah Balaban at Mariah.Balaban@Illinois.Gov
