Staying sober in a new digital age

SANDUSKY — Keep your distance from others. Stay at home. Go into quarantine. Remain isolated from all others. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, and among the many downfalls caused by COVID-19, it can get quite lonely for people these days. It's especially true for locals in recovery, who depend upon large support networks to help them maintain their sobriety. Luckily for them, immediately after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine banned mass public gatherings in March, Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center pivoted in how nonprofit representatives present programming. The downtown Sandusky-based organization, at the forefront of providing an outlet for community members coping with addiction and mental health issues, recently transitioned into a fully digital entity. Through online platforms, and without interruption, it continues offering sponsors, meetings, guidance and other resources for anyone in need. All of these services are either free or come at a reduced cost. "Addiction happens in isolation, and recovery happens in community," said Joey Supina, who founded the center with his wife, Mary. Joey himself has maintained his sobriety for 46 years. "During these troubling times with COVID-19, it is increasingly difficult for people seeking recovery because of the social distancing guidelines," Supina said. "That is why it is important that recovery community organizations, like Sandusky Artisans, exist. Sandusky Artisans makes it possible for those seeking help from a substance use disorder and/or a mental health problem to have a personal peer supporter help them navigate to a successful recovery." The Register spoke with three such individuals, all affiliated with Artisans because of their experiences in recovery, to see how they're helping people stay sober and remain in recovery. Sharon Lichtcsien Both for herself and others in recovery, Sharon Lichtcsien understands she must be flexible. So, instead of canceling her sober-influenced yoga classes, Lichtcsien adopted a new format to help people connect their minds, bodies and spirits during a dark time. Through a videoconferencing system, the Sandusky resident leads virtual yoga classes. Her sessions, open to Artisans clients at no cost, take place at 6 p.m. on Mondays, just like they normally would at the center. "It did take many hours trying to figure out the program, but I love it now," she said. "I love seeing my yogis in front of me. It's very relaxing and peaceful." She encourages anyone to sign up and participate, no matter one's skill level. Practicing yoga helps Lichtcsien conquer her recovery, which she calls "Sobriety with a Twist." She's maintained her sobriety, free from drinking alcohol, for about 14 years. "The stillness of my yoga lets me go inward and realize my true self and my true identity," said Lichtcsien, who's married to her husband, Steve. Together they have one daughter, Kelsie. Lichtcsien believes now, more than ever, people in recovery need some semblance of routine. "With yoga, my whole life changed back to normal, and that is why I decided to do these online classes, so I could get in a routine and others can, too," she said. For those lost or seeking new ways to keep clean while stuck at home, she said yoga represents a great opportunity to clear one's mind and gain internal strength. "Without my yoga, I would not be where I'm at 14 years later," Lichtcsien said. "I would not be sober and not in a good place. Yoga can be an adjunct to a traditional recovery program." Emily and Michael Werner Three years ago, spouses Emily and Michael Werner radically adjusted their lives to get clean and stay sober. And now, amid a global public health threat, they're modifying how they help others enter recovery and achieve a drug-free life. The two licensed peer supporters regularly led in-person meetings at Artisans, facilitating classes where people could talk about their personal challenges while uplifting one another. But the sessions abruptly stopped with Ohio's stay-at-home order. Rather than stopping group sessions altogether, Emily and Michael — the Huron residents are in recovery from abusing heroin, prescription pills and a host of other drugs — quickly educated themselves on a digital platform to host videoconferences. "We want to be there to help people, so recovery can be possible, and we want to bring them together in a time that we can't be together," Emily said. For the past month, Emily and Michael organized online meetings at times and days their clients would normally see them at Artisans. It helps provide some routine and structure in a world turned upside down by COVID-19. "This stay-at-home order and being quarantined is very isolating, and people are struggling pretty hard with their mental health, depression and anxiety," Emily said. "The world is a scary place for a lot of them but being able to get together and talk about all of that, and more, in this new setting is very helpful for a lot of people so they don't feel as alone." At first, Michael felt reluctant to conduct virtual meetings. "I never did them before. It just wasn't part of my recovery," Michael said. "But I have accepted it. Recovery, for me, is about acceptance and accepting change. We have a long road ahead of us, and staying connected virtually is going to be important." Emily and Michael do miss seeing people and providing them personal reassurances, through a handshake, high five or a hug. But virtual meetings give them a chance to accomplish something they couldn't before. "We have the opportunity to meet new people," Emily said. "We had a student from a college in Indiana who attended our support group. Now she's a part of us." Assistance from Artisans People can sign up for these Sandusky Artisans-approved classes and sessions, along with inquiring about other services, by: • Calling 419-621-9377 • Visiting sanduskyartisansrecovery.com • Viewing the nonprofit's Facebook page, "Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center"