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Online Meetings, Treatment Options, Help Michiganders Stay Sober
(Drew Saunders, April 17, 2020)

Oakland County, MI – National life has been dragged into standby mode by the coronavirus, which has captured global attention from both the public and healthcare workers. But just because the coronavirus is sweeping the globe,  does not mean that the fight against ongoing health crisis’ like alcohol dependency have slowed down at all.
Julie Brenner is the President and CEO of the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities, an “umbrella organization” of various substance abuse prevention and recovery efforts throughout the state, including in Oakland County.
“Anxiety and stress are really high right now. If you are in your recovery walk, know that there are [other] people who are struggling. There are a lot of organizations that are really amplifying their efforts to make sure that they have connections,”  Brenner said. “Whether it’s a phone call, reaching out to your sponsors, recovery coaches or whoever [your support system] is, or attending meetings online.”
Although organizations like the Alliance have had to totally change how they operate to accommodate social distancing, connections are still important and available.
Where possible, in-person therapy sessions have moved online. Zoom is a popular choice because it comes with a waiting room feature and password protection, making it easier to preserve the privacy of people who need help.
“There’s phone versions and online versions,” Bob S, the General-Secretary of the Alcoholics Anonymous of Greater Detroit, said. For people who don’t have internet access, “We’re giving them times, days and a phone number to call” and an access code to get into the Zoom meeting that way.
Common Ground, an addiction crisis center sponsored by Oakland County, has cut its number of temporary beds from ten to five as part of its social distancing efforts. They are still operating a Sober Support Unit, which is still accepting walk-ins from addiction victims who need in person treatment. It is located at the Oakland County government campus in Pontiac. It is in Common Ground’s Resource and Crisis Center, Building 32-E.
Common Ground is a county-run central clearing house of sorts, that finds addiction treatment through various non-profit programs around the county for anyone who needs it.
This includes facilities like Meridian Health’s in-patient facility. At Meridian Health, everyone who enters there is screened through both questions and a temperature check.  Megan Aubin, the Medical Services and Admissions Manager at Meridian Health’s in-patient alcohol rehabilitation facility, says that she has been scouring suppliers for things like medical shields, masks, hand sanitizers and gloves. But they are still providing services and they have plans in place in the event that they do get a Covid-19 victim in their facility.
“The most challenging part for me has been addressing the fear from employees and clients,” Aubin said. She added that she and her staff keep going over the latest information given by health workers and doubling down on preventative measures like extra cleaning and social distancing to reassure their residents that they can continue to get the help they need.
Southeast Michigan AA is another resource for sobriety.  They connect those in recovery throughout Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Saint Clair, and Sanilac Counties. Below is a list of online AA Meetings in this area. Please check their website https://aa-semi.org for the most up-to-date information.
Southeast Michigan Virtual Meetings/Resources:
Tips for Handling Unwanted Meeting Disruptions Info from Inter-group Association of A.A. of NY
Readings for AA Meetings A selection of reading hosts can share to the screen
Alcoholics Anonymous Phone Meetings has phone-in meetings available multiple times a day
AA Online Intergroup has an extensive list of phone-in and video meetings available multiple times a day
Area 33 website – aa-semi.org
Ferndale Hotline: (248) 541-6565       
Pontiac Hotline: (248) 332-3521
Port Huron Hotline: (810) 987-8884
The following list of online and phone meetings have been set up by A.A. members in Area 33 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please keep in mind AA’s 12th tradition; Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities, and that it is important to maintain our personal anonymity while taking part in these virtual meetings. Due to the fact that we are not in our usual locations, and on-line and virtual meetings are open to all, our risk of exposing our anonymity is higher.
We are trying to keep this list as up to date as possible for the Area 33 community. Please email  area33webcochair@aa-semi.org with meeting information.
Area 33 does not necessarily endorse any specific link or meeting information supplied here.
Stay Sober, Stay Safe and Stay Healthy.
For Zoom Meetings: Download and use the App for iPhones or Android Phones. You can alter your display name to protect your anonymity. To call into a Zoom meeting, dial +1 312 626 6799 (Chicago) and enter the Meeting ID# when prompted.
Marathon Meetings

Spanish Meetings

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Other Confirmed Meetings from Out of Area:

Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities
RECOVERY SUPPORT
Shatter the Stigma Family & Recovery Support Meetings:

FREE ONLINE NARCAN TRAININGS
Save A Life FREE Narcan Trainings are online now every Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon starting Thursday, April 9.

OTHER MEETING OPPORTUNITIES:
Affirmations Community Center, Ferndale