Isolation

“Human beings have a natural and innate need to bond. And when we’re happy and healthy we’ll bond and connect with each other,” ( http://www.chasingthescream.com/, Johann Hari)

I have heard several people quote the author of a NY Times bestseller, Johann Hari. The opposite of addiction is connection – has people thinking. In his book, Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, Hari presents the idea that addiction is a result of isolation or disconnect. I actually have said many times- Isolation is a tool of the enemy.

We need to be connected.

Unfortunately, life has us isolating. How do we handle that?

It is interesting to me that not every one is upset about it. People are overworked, too busy and stressed. They are enjoying this. Others are hoarding everything they can as if the world is about to end. ( How is toilet paper going to help if the world is ending?) Then there are those of us who are going crazy being isolated. Yes, that’s me. I am already done – not enjoying this anymore!

As people, we were made to be with people. We were made to interact and to have relationships. God did not create us to walk alone. Those of us who are struggling are feeling anxious, lonely, disconnected and lost. Please don’t judge us. We find strength through connection. God has created us to help each other, support each other. That requires some kind of connection. The recovery community is based on connection. Whether twelve step or other support groups, the foundation of any recovery program is connection. You cannot do it alone. Life is all about connection.

So what do we do?

Isolation is a necessary evil right now. There are things we can do to connect- even if not face to face. Virtual meetings, phone calls and apps like face time allow us to still interact. We need to be willing to connect in different ways, and at different times. If one of us is having an isolation meltdown, we need to connect! If someone else is struggling with depression- we need to connect! If another is in desperate need of a mentor or sponsor- connect now!

We need to know that we are not the only ones having a hard time with social distancing and isolation.

I am putting this out as a cry for connection! If you need to connect, reach out! It will help me as much as you! We need each other! We are human!