It’s been one hell of a lively and unpredictable year for all of us. Besides the pandemic and unprecedented political unrest, many of us have been challenged by major life events also. Anyone else exhausted by 2020?
However, all is not lost. One of the biggest things that has been highlighted through this chaos is our ability to care for one another. And none more than here, at In The Rooms. The team have worked extra hard to provide Twenty-four hour access to the meetings and support to members and their families.
Covid-19 and the ITR Recovery Community.
I asked cofounder of In The Rooms Ron Tannebaum how Covid-19 has impacted the recovery community and how In The Rooms has met the needs of the people involved.
“Covid-19 has been a learning experience for In The Rooms. We have had tremendous growth in 2020 with over 200,000 new members joining. When the pandemic started, most face-to-face, 12 step, and non-12 step meeting rooms were closed. Most still are. In The Rooms and its members have been here 24/7 to fill that gap for everyone affected globally by the pandemic with over 625 live online meetings a month.”
How technology has helped in 2020.
During the last year, the potential of technology as a positive and lifesaving tool for human interaction has been hugely apparent. While many of us around the world have been unable to spend time together in a physical manner, technology has stepped in to keep us connected on many different levels.
Ken Pomerance, co-founder of In The Rooms told me about one very special way in which technology has been vitally important for him. “We have a whole group of 12 step sponsees across the world. We used to meet once a year and spend time together. A very special event for all of us. Obviously we couldn’t do that this year. Instead, we now have a group zoom meeting once a week and going forward we will probably continue to do this.”
ITR advancements.
Despite the difficulties, this year has been a busy one. In The Rooms introduced a new Public Home Page where anyone, not just members can see what In The Rooms is all about. It’s possible to keep informed on special events, see the live online meeting schedule (625 meetings a month), read our content on recovery, and much more.
New free iPhone and Android Apps were also developed as well as a free monthly Super Saturday Recovery Summit. Every month three experts in the field of addiction and recovery from multiple pathways to recovery host these popular events.
And if that wasn’t enough, also introduced was a free In The Rooms, Reel Recovery Film Festival Movie of the month. This features films from independent film makers about addiction, recovery, and mental health issues.
Always a silver lining.
Both Kenny and Ron are in recovery for many years. So how have they coped personally with the pandemic as recovering men?
Ron says “A day at a time. It’s fortunate that Kenny and I can work from anywhere as long as we have a laptop and internet. We work every day on In The Rooms where there is always something important happening with 750,000 members. What helped me most was to continue my daily routine, stay in today, exercise, pray, read a daily meditation, and meditate. I also attend live online meetings on In The Rooms and sponsor fifteen men which helps keep me centered and grounded.”
Kenny says, “keeping connected is the most important thing for me. I’m also very lucky to have my wife with me everyday. Many people don’t have that. We also have my family visit occasionally outdoors which is a blessing.”
It can be hard to find a silver lining in such a tumultuous time. But if there is one thing people in recovery know about, it’s how to see the good in even the toughest times.
“I’ve had many blessings this year” Kenny says. “Without doubt the biggest highlight for me is the birth of my beautiful Granddaughter. She brings me endless joy. I’m also very grateful to have managed to keep on top of my illness and keep going.”
Always here for you.
In The Rooms aim is to always be there for its current and new members. It is always a busy hive of activity and 2021 will be no different.
“We have so many things we want to accomplish in 2021”, Ron says. “We want to continue to attract new members from around the world, improve our mobile presence, redesign many aspects of our site, and offer many new and exciting features to our community. Stay connected, more will be revealed!”
In The Rooms is a unique and vital tool for hundreds of thousands of people around the world. This year it had special significance and has grown exponentially in its endeavour to help anyone, anywhere, to recover from addiction and its effects.
We want you to know that there is always a place for you within the ITR Nation and welcome you with open arms.
Wishing everyone in the ITR Nation a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!
