Sober Quarantine Is Totally Possible

The COVID-19 virus has taken our reality and turned it on its head. We are isolated. We are afraid. And for those of us in recovery, we might be wondering if we can handle all of this and stay sober.  Social media is a culprit and here’s why: it’s currently one of our main outlets at this time for connection, …

35 Lessons We Learned From Experiencing a “Slip”

As someone who has gone through a relapse (the word I choose to describe my experience of drinking alcohol after a period of abstinence), I can tell you from personal experience that it is not easy. Not only is it physically taxing, but it’s emotionally exhausting — made worse by the shame and stigma. But the truth is, relapse is incredibly common …

5 Active Ways to Reduce Stress During Stress Awareness Month (and COVID-19)

Coronavirus has forced us to not only worry about getting sick, paying bills, and having enough toilet paper… it’s also making us grapple with our changing routines, roles, and even identities. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many of us, myself included, are overwhelmed with stress. Read more from The Temper here.

FASD Families Zoom Calls

April Topics: Need a few minutes to connect with other families? What–Zoom or Call-In: Check-in for Alaska Families When—Thursdays 8:30-9:30 a.m. in April About — Join other caregivers of children and youth who experience an FASD for weekly informative conversations. This is a private Zoom for families and caregivers only. To receive the Zoom link or call in information, contact …

Virtual Anchorage School District Out of the Darkness Campus Walk

The Alaska Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) will be hosting the Anchorage School District Out of the Darkness Campus Walk, virtually. Participants can join AFSP and Eagle River High School Principal, Mr. Timothy Helvey as well as students from the ERHS You Are Not Alone club for the virtual honor bead ceremony and variety of social …

Drinking During Self-Quarantine: How Much Is Too Much?

Now that self-quarantine is the norm for most living in the U.S., people have stopped going out to bars and clubs. But with the prevalence of virtual happy hours, alcohol delivery services, and the fact that liquor stores are deemed “essential businesses” throughout most of the country, many are continuing to drink at home. Read more from them. here.

Nonprofit offers support for Alaskans struggling with substance use amid COVID-19 outbreak

Some experts warn the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic could cause a spike in alcohol and other substance use. A local nonprofit wants Alaskans to know it’s keeping its doors open by moving a majority of services over the phone and online.  “Certainly this situation right now with COVID is creating a lot of pressure — loss of jobs, concern about …

Maintaining COVID-19 suppression measures is hard. But Alaskans must.

As public health professionals, we believe the first priority in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is to prevent infections and save lives. A team at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Division of Population Health Sciences has looked closely at the lessons from other countries and expert predictions. We have reviewed the policies enacted in Alaska and tracked the alarming increase …