Essential health services have had to rethink the way they help people.

The same goes for drug and alcohol recovery programs.

The Courage Center in Lexington and the Lexington/ Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council go online to help people in recovery.

“We are essential as outpatient and inpatient healthcare,” said Jeremy Martin, VP for Treatment LRADAC. “New patients will be accepted via telephone and telehealth video.”

Withdrawal management, or detox, is the only inpatient service being offered now.

Adrienne Bellinger, executive director of The Courage Center, said they have suspended on-site meetings and activities.

“We are concerned about the potential for increased substance misuse and/or abuse. That is why we were quick to shift our operations and ensure uninterrupted access to services. I have seen stories about alcohol sales exploding,” she said.

Counselors have maintained regular contact through WhatsApp with those who usually attend group meetings. They also provide 1-on-1 recovery coaching and hold weekly group meetings through Zoom.

As an alternative to a regularly held recreation night, they began holding remote Netflix watch parties.

Other online Zoom meetings include:

•A group for family members whose loved one died of substance use.

•An anxiety disorders support group.

•An Alcoholics Anonymous group.

“If virtual meetings increase access and encourage more people to plug into substance use disorder prevention and recovery, we’re for it,” Bellinger said.

For more information or to join one of the Courage Center’s virtual meetings, visit https://www.couragecentersc.org/covid-19 .

You may also call the Central SC Recovery Hotline 24/7 at 803-369-3821.