Twelve-step and other recovery programs allow people battling substance abuse to share their experience, strength and hope with each other. Traditionally, these programs relied upon in-person meetings, but many Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meetings have transitioned to online via Zoom. You can find a list of in-person and online meetings .

Online meetings offer many benefits, especially for people new to recovery. Attending your first AA or NA meeting can be scary. Many are reluctant to walk into a room full of strangers for the first time and admit they have a problem with substance use. Attending your first meeting online from the comfort of home can decrease your anxiety.

Online meetings also give you the opportunity to attend multiple meetings 鈥� without having to travel across town 鈥� and find the one with an approach and membership that best fits your needs. The group Marijuana Anonymous, for example, only had in-person meetings in a few states like California. Now, with its online meetings, people from all over the country can attend and get support. Attending an online group also opens up your opportunities to find a sponsor 鈥� they don鈥檛 have to live in your same city or state. Being able to call or FaceTime your sponsor frequently 鈥� even daily — can be a huge asset in staying sober, especially in stressful times like the pandemic.

The social isolation that has accompanied COVID-19 is a double-edge sword for many in recovery. On the positive side, isolation can give people time to focus on their recovery, to read the Big Book of AA and other materials, to do the hard work of self-reflection. And with bars and clubs closed, there may be less opportunity to go out and party. On the downside, isolation can heighten anxiety, depression and boredom 鈥� which can be triggers to use alcohol and drugs.

So try to use your time alone wisely. Take up a hobby that you had put aside. Meditate, journal, practice mindfulness, exercise. Don鈥檛 beat yourself up because you didn鈥檛 do a full hour of workouts at the gym. Take a 10- or 20-minute walk outside. Prepare healthy foods. Talk to someone 鈥� a family member, friend, your sponsor. Keep an eye on how much social media and news you watch 鈥� especially if it adds to your anxiety. If your negative self-talk becomes excessive or you feel desperate, seek outside help. Many therapists are offering telehealth appointments.

Recovery is never an easy process. There are always ups and down, victories and defeats. This pandemic and its accompanying social distancing offer challenges but also opportunities. Stay connected. Remember that you鈥檙e not alone. Many are here to help.

As purple is the official color for collegiate recovery, we invite everyone to show your support by wearing purple on the final Friday of this month, September 25. You can also post a selfie on the 25^th showcasing your support and the statement 鈥淚 Support Recovery [because]鈥︹�� using the tag #Recovery麻豆原创 on social media.

COVID-19 health tips are brought to you by 麻豆原创鈥檚 Academic Health Sciences Center (AHSC), which includes the Colleges of Health Professions and Sciences (CHPS), Medicine, Nursing and Student Health Services. All COVID-19 tips appear .

When we abruptly moved to Florida, the loss of that tight-knit group was, in a word, devastating. After a long search, we had finally found a welcoming co-ed team here 鈥� when I was suddenly relegated to the sidelines.

Just over two years ago, a routine, low-risk surgical procedure inexplicably resulted in a ruptured quadriceps tendon, leaving me unable to walk or extend my lower leg. Descriptions of this injury often include words like 鈥渟erious,鈥� 鈥渦ncommon,鈥� 鈥渄isabling鈥� and, of course, 鈥渄evastating.鈥濃�� I did not realize at the time just how fitting this term was.

The months following another surgery to repair my tendon are mostly a blur to me now; taking care of my then 2-year-old and keeping up with school and work while on one leg was all-consuming. It wasn鈥檛 until much later that I began to recognize signs of depression related to my injury, the cause of which remains unknown.

I often felt myself blinking back tears at small, unexpected moments.

I used to enjoy watching soccer with my husband on Saturday mornings, but increasingly found myself avoiding our time together, unable to fully confront what I had lost. Frustration at once-simple tasks 鈥� walking the dog, playing on the floor with my daughter 鈥� often boiled over to anger. I stopped wearing shorts and skirts to avoid questions about my scar, and I deflected questions such as, 鈥淗ow鈥檚 your leg doing?鈥� with humor. 鈥淚t鈥檚 still attached,鈥� I鈥檇 reply with a laugh.

Unfortunately, the repair failed to heal properly, and I often felt myself blinking back tears at small, unexpected moments, when other parents would kneel down to be eye-level with their children, for example. I was surprised to feel that these simple acts had been stolen from me. It took me a long time to finally label these feelings for what they were: grief.

Despite loss being a nearly universal human experience, it seems that we are poorly equipped to address this sort of pain in both ourselves and in others.

I recognized that the complexity and ambiguity of my injury often made people uncomfortable, so I was happy enough to let others think that I was on a normal path to healing and recovery. This facade worked so well that even I fell for it, chalking up my intense and erratic emotions to just being a tired, working mom.

I鈥檝e since learned that grief is a normal reaction to any loss, not just loss of a loved one. Grief often follows traumatic injury or chronic illness, yet I never allowed myself to think my situation was 鈥渢hat bad.鈥�

And truly, it鈥檚 not. I continue to work to regain strength and hope that I will one day have more functionality. But I see now that returning to my former physical state is highly improbable and participating in the sports I once loved would be a huge risk to my livelihood. Admittedly, I lived for high-energy activities; downhill skiing and soccer aren鈥檛 exactly low-impact. But they were an integral part of my identity and were the foundation of some of my most important relationships.

The poet William Cowper said, 鈥淕rief is itself a medicine.鈥� So finally, I鈥檝e started allowing myself to concede the magnitude of my loss.

At a time in my life where much of my agency felt stripped from me, naming and embracing my grief has given me back some degree of control. There are days when I still feel the insult of this injury deeply. Other days, I cope. I acknowledge. I accept.

Perhaps grieving really is another step on the path to healing after injury.

Katie Philp is the research and evaluation manager for the Parramore Education and Innovation District, a project of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Center for Higher Education Innovation. She can be reached at Katherine.Philp@ucf.edu.

The聽麻豆原创 Forum聽is a weekly series of opinion columns from faculty, staff and students who serve on a panel for a year. A new column is posted each Wednesday on 麻豆原创 Today and then broadcast on W麻豆原创-FM (89.9) between 7:50 and 8 a.m. Sunday. () Opinions expressed are those of the columnists, and are not necessarily shared by the 麻豆原创.

鈥�A sober tailgate party,鈥� says Hall.

He knows what you might be thinking: Sober tailgate party. Isn鈥檛 that an oxymoron?

鈥淭hat鈥檚 the point,鈥� says Hall, 鈥渂ecause you know who the skeptics [about not drinking on game day] are? It鈥檚 the adults, not the students.鈥�

He talked about a surprising new study that even he calls a phenomenon: The number of high schools seniors who report having drunk an alcoholic drink has decreased significantly, with more than 77.7 percent in 1991 compared to 53.3 percent in 2018.

鈥淭he idea that 鈥楨veryone in college drinks鈥� is not supported by data.鈥� – Tom Hall 鈥�16PhD,

鈥淭he idea that 鈥楨veryone in college drinks鈥� is not supported by data,鈥� says Hall, who earned his doctorate in sociology. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a misperception that鈥檚 been perpetuated only because we thought it was true 20 years ago. We have to adjust our thinking and figure out what to do with this new narrative and create new norms in line with students beliefs and behaviors.鈥�

For the past 22 years, Hall has been one of the lead authors of that revised narrative. He鈥檚 provided substance-abuse and mental-health treatment for people of all ages, and since 2004 has developed services for people with substance-use disorders at 麻豆原创, most recently as the associate director for and director of alcohol and other drug prevention services. In the process, he鈥檚 also identified the needs of college students who don鈥檛 want to imbibe.

鈥淥nly a minority of the students I see [in therapy] truly have a substance-use disorder,鈥� Hall says. 鈥淭he majority of the students I see are trying to manage social expectations. They associate positive feelings and 鈥榗utting loose鈥� with alcohol. The fun might be real, but it is not related to the alcohol. It鈥檚 the socializing 鈥� the thinking not the drinking. We have to encourage students to challenge the expectation that alcohol equates to fun, and to challenge the falsehoods so many adults have spread. Otherwise, we鈥檒l have to deal with the bigger problems of dependence and abuse.鈥�

After earning a master鈥檚 in social work from Florida State University, he went on to help start an adolescent in-patient unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, counseled children experiencing bereavement, and later worked in private practice treating patients with substance use disorders.

He鈥檚 spent a lifetime asking a constant question: How can we make this better?

Hall came to 麻豆原创 in 2004 to head up alcohol-abuse prevention programs after a four-year stint at a private college in Florida. There, despite stringent rules about drinking, Hall saw the truths of a 鈥渄ry campus鈥� whenever he walked by the trash cans.

鈥淚t was a 鈥榟umid鈥� campus, not dry,鈥� he says. 鈥淪imply telling students 鈥榊ou can鈥檛 drink, you can鈥檛 drink鈥� obviously wasn鈥檛 working.鈥�

So he created coalitions with students, administrators and local businesses to offer alternatives. Soon there were campus-wide barbecues and block parties, and bar owners were providing free soda, so students could socialize but not feel compelled to drink.

By tracing the dangerous problem of alcohol abuse back to its root (a so-called 鈥渟ocial norm鈥�), Hall began to do the unthinkable: change the culture. And then 麻豆原创 came calling.

鈥淚 felt like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz: This isn鈥檛 Kansas anymore. I went from a campus of 2,000 students to one with more than 40,000, which seemed overwhelming at times. But thanks to the university鈥檚 support, we were able to scale up what worked for a small, private college to a large, public university.鈥�

The enormity reached a critical point at a tailgate party in September 2005. There, outside the Citrus Bowl (now Camping World Stadium), Hall stood 50 yards from the spot where off-duty 麻豆原创 police officer Mario Jenkins was shot. In the hours after the tragedy, Hall questioned if his work were worthwhile. He spent the rest of the weekend using yard tools to exhaust his negative thoughts on a tree stump behind his house.

At the end of the weekend, he was left with a pile of mulch and a singular thought: Focus on one student, one small win, at a time.

Hall consumed himself with research on alcohol abuse and implemented a variety of common-sense programs to address it on campus. The U.S. Department of Education recognized his work as a Model of Exemplary Practice 鈥� a rare designation that puts 麻豆原创 in limited company. Hall helped develop a curriculum to open conversations in high schools about alcohol on college campuses before students get there. He has chipped away at misperceptions with the kind of energy he used on that tree stump.

One student. One win at a time.

A student named Page, who transferred to 麻豆原创 in January 2016 and asked to remain anonymous, became a win.

鈥淲hen I looked for a new school, one of my top criteria was finding support in my recovery from a substance-abuse disorder,鈥� says Page. 鈥淚 saw right away that Tom had put 麻豆原创 at the forefront instead of shying away from it.鈥�

Page went from hanging out at the support meetings to working alongside Hall to grow the , which uses 麻豆原创鈥檚 network of resources to integrate prevention, treatment and recovery from substance use.

鈥淭om truly makes the students, not academia, his first priority,鈥� says Page. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why it works.鈥�

Developing the CRC became part of Page鈥檚 recovery. Giving back to the community. Focusing on others. Moving everything forward. In that process, Page helped organize Sober Knights and thePoint After Dark 鈥� events for students, by students. They go bowling, play paintball, watch movies. And they meet each other at sober tailgate parties.

As Hall transitions to his new role as the director of the Orange County Drug Free Coalition, he points all attention to the data that at once baffles him and lifts him up: 40 percent of incoming freshman do not drink and do not want to drink.

鈥淭he data are encouraging,鈥� he says.

And so he鈥檚 started a new narrative. One where students recovering from substance abuse hang out with students who have never touched alcohol. One that reflects the reality of today rather than the perceived norms of 20 years ago. In this story, Page graduates from 麻豆原创, lands a great job out of state, and takes with him a willingness to engage co-workers in conversations about substance abuse.

Meanwhile, here at Hall鈥檚 alma mater, a sober tailgate party is no longer an oxymoron with a crooked question mark. It鈥檚 part of a new beginning.

PTSD is triggered by a terrifying event 鈥� either experiencing or witnessing it. That event could be living through a natural disaster, serving in combat, surviving a serious accident or losing a loved one. Symptoms of PTSD may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Most people who go through traumatic events may temporarily have difficulty adjusting and coping, but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day functioning, you may have PTSD.

PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time.

Symptoms may start within one month of a traumatic event, but may not appear until years later.聽These symptoms can include “flashbacks” of the event, avoidance of dealing with feelings related to the trauma, negative thoughts and mood, and changes in physical or emotional reactions when you think about the event.

PTSD symptoms can vary in intensity over time. You may have more PTSD symptoms when you’re stressed in general, or when you come across reminders of your experience.

Taking the first steps to treatment

Treatment for PTSD begins with identifying the problem and talking openly with your doctor. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if you have disturbing thoughts and feelings about a traumatic event for more than a month, or if you feel you’re having trouble getting your life back under control. Getting treatment as soon as possible can help prevent PTSD symptoms from worsening.

Treatment options

Everyone is different, and PTSD affects people differently, so a treatment that works for one person may not work for another. It is important for anyone with PTSD to be treated by a mental health provider who is experienced with the condition. Some people with PTSD may need to try different treatments to find what works for their symptoms. If someone with PTSD is going through an ongoing trauma, such as being in an abusive relationship, both problems need to be addressed. Other ongoing problems can include panic disorder, depression, substance abuse and feeling suicidal.

The most studied type of medication for treating PTSD is antidepressants, which may help control symptoms such as sadness, worry, anger and feeling numb inside. Doctors and patients can work together to find the best medication or medication combination, as well as the right dose.

Talk therapies teach people helpful ways to react to frightening events that trigger their PTSD symptoms. One helpful form of therapy is called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which can include:

Exposure therapy 鈥� This helps people face and control their fear by gradually and safely exposing them to the trauma they experienced.

Cognitive restructuring 鈥� This helps people make sense of the bad memories. Sometimes people remember the event differently than it actually happened. They may feel guilt or shame about something that is not their fault.

Recovery

Recovery from PTSD is a gradual, ongoing process. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, nor do the memories of the trauma ever disappear completely. This can make life seem difficult at times. But there are many steps you can take to cope with the residual symptoms and reduce your anxiety and fear.

Overcoming your sense of helplessness is key to overcoming PTSD. Trauma leaves you feeling powerless and vulnerable. It’s important to remind yourself that you have strengths and coping skills that can get you through tough times.

One of the best ways to reclaim your sense of power is by helping others: volunteer your time, give blood, reach out to a friend in need or donate to your favorite charity. Taking positive action directly challenges the sense of helplessness that is a common symptom of PTSD.

Resources

The offers a to help those in need find support in their communities. The National Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential help for substance use and mental health disorders, including PTSD.

Helplines

If you or your loved one aren’t quite ready to seek in-person help, there are national helplines that can ease you into your path of recovery.

Here are a few helplines available for 24-hour, confidential support:

National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Support for all mental and substance use disorders, as well as prevention and treatment advice

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-237-TALK (8255)

Prevention hotline available for anyone contemplating suicide or undergoing extreme emotional distress

Our Health Tips on recovery topics this September are in support of National Recovery Month. Learn more about , including recovery support.

Each year, 70 percent of smokers want to quit. But almost half who try on their own do not succeed.

Quitting is not easy, but with the support, resources and alternatives offered today, it is possible.

Each year, 70 percent of smokers want to quit. But almost half who try on their own do not succeed.聽Quitting is not easy, but with the support, resources and alternatives offered today, it is possible.

When you’ve determined it’s time to quit once and for all, there are steps you can take to keep you on track and lead you to a healthier, smoke-free life.

Make a plan
Planning is an important part of any recovery effort. Without a solid plan, it can be easy to fall back into old habits. The first step is to choose a quit date. This will serve as an important milestone on your journey to stop smoking.

You then need to anticipate the challenges you will face the first few days and weeks, including nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, irritability, depressed mood, changes in appetite and difficulty concentrating. Prepare for these challenges and plan different hobbies and activities you can incorporate into your life to keep your mind off smoking.

Know the alternatives
If you have a hard time quitting cold turkey, know that there are alternative products available to aid in the process, such as nicotine replacement therapies. Some of the most common products include nicotine gum, patches, sprays and lozenges. These products can help curb nicotine cravings without tobacco, but keep in mind that these tools are designed to be a temporary step on the road to ditching nicotine altogether.

There are also behavioral therapy options available to help you deal with the mental stress that comes with nicotine withdrawal. Many people find that talking to a therapist and identifying triggers can be helpful for staying on track and avoiding situations that hinder quitting.

If you don’t vape, don’t start. And if you do vape, quit. The benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation are inconclusive. And there have been recent reports of serious health complications 鈥� and deaths 鈥� tied to using these devices. In fact, the CDC is now investigating what it calls an “outbreak of lung illness” among e-cigarette users.

Turn to family and friends for support
Being open with family and friends about your intentions to quit smoking can motivate you to stick with it and provide you with support. Family members may even decide to quit together, which is a great support system.

Remember why you chose to quit
The process will be tough, especially in the beginning, but everyone has a reason he or she finally decides to quit for good. Keep in mind why you chose to quit 鈥� whether it’s your family, your health or whatever else motivates you to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Remember your “why” during the tough times and keep pushing forward with your end goal in sight.

Resources
麻豆原创 Smoking Cessation Support
On-campus 5-week support group that includes free nicotine replacement therapy. Email dennisse_rios@hotmail.com to register for the next session.

Tobacco Free Florida
, 1-877-U-CAN-NOW

Faculty and staff can can learn more about 麻豆原创 health and wellness services, including recovery support, on the聽. Students can access resources and learn more through the聽.

A substance use disorder occurs when a person’s use of alcohol or another substance (drug) leads to ongoing health issues or problems at work, school or home. Substance use disorders lead people to neglect normal activities so they can obtain their substance of choice and use it. People with this condition usually progress from experimentation to occasional use and then to heavy use and sometimes abuse.

If your use of alcohol or other drugs leads to persistent conflict or failure to meet obligations at home, work or with family, it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional. Here are some symptoms of substance abuse:

• Impaired Control 鈥� a person is unsuccessful in stopping or reducing their use on their own, has cravings to use, and spends a lot of time using or recovering from substance use
• Social Impairment 鈥� a person neglects their obligations at home or work to use substances and reduces or gives up social, occupational or recreational activities for the same reasonRisky Use – the person continues to use alcohol or drugs despite worsening medical or psychological problems
• Pharmacological symptoms 鈥� a person must use more alcohol or drugs to get the desired effect
• Withdrawal 鈥� a person has negative physical effects when he or she quits using the substance

Taking the first steps toward recovery

The road to recovery begins with opening up about your concerns to someone you trust. Don’t ignore your feelings or avoid talking about your concerns. Your doctor is a great resource you can trust for information about managing and treating substance abuse.

If you believe you are abusing substances, how do you take the first steps to recovery?

1) ASK. Ask family and friends if your behavior is causing them concern.

2) TALK. Talk to your doctor, a therapist, family member or friend about how to get help.

3) ACT. Schedule an appointment with an addictions specialist, attend a support group meeting.

4) BELIEVE. Say out loud you can recover and you are worth the effort.

Treatment options

Psychotherapy helps you locate resources 鈥� such as Alcoholics Anonymous 鈥� to manage your use of substances. This type of therapy also helps you develop more effective coping skills. Therapy sessions may be one-on-one and/or in group settings.

Community Meetings
Check for support group meetings in your area through Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. If you have a loved one with substance abuse disorder, Al-Anon is a group to share those experiences. 麻豆原创 hosts group meetings for people seeking recovery. You can view the calendar at .

Helplines
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a services locator to help those in need find support in their communities. Its national helpline also provides 24-hour free and confidential help.

If you or your loved one aren’t quite ready to seek in-person help, there are national helplines available for 24-hour, confidential support that can ease you into your path of recovery.

• National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
  Support for all mental and substance use disorders, as well as prevention and treatment advice
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-237-TALK (8255)
  Prevention hotline available for anyone contemplating suicide or undergoing extreme emotional distress
• National Drug Helpline: 1-888-633-3239
  Support for those struggling with drug and alcohol abuse or addiction

Start your road to recovery today in a way that works for you, and don’t be afraid to speak with your doctor about preventing, managing and treating substance disorders.

Faculty and staff can can learn more about 麻豆原创 health and wellness services, including recovery support, on the . Students can access resources and learn more through the .

September is National Recovery Month and this year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger,” carries an important message: We all play a role in recovery, whether or not we struggle personally with issues like depression, anxiety, alcohol, drug or nicotine abuse. All of us 鈥� as work colleagues, friends, family and health care providers 鈥� play a role in supporting each other to become physically, emotionally and spiritually stronger.

A number of resources are available at 麻豆原创 to support those in recovery. Student Health Services offers and we have added recovery information 鈥� including smoking cessation 鈥� on the .

麻豆原创 is committed to helping those affected by mental-health challenges and substance-use disorders by raising awareness of these conditions and the recovery resources that are available.

In addition, we invite you to join us at the Veterans Academic Resource Center on Sept. 14 as for the 麻豆原创 football game against Stanford that will celebrate recovery. The event is co-hosted by the Veterans Student Organization and 麻豆原创 Sober Knights as well as recovery organizations from our community.

Behavioral health is essential to overall wellness. 麻豆原创 is committed to helping those affected by mental-health challenges and substance-use disorders by raising awareness of these conditions and the recovery resources that are available. Prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. Please join me in being a voice for recovery.

Let’s all stay well 鈥� together.