For 30 years, Capital Region resident Molly has relied on the 12 Step Program and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to fight her addiction.

“I cannot express my gratitude. I would not be here today if it were not for the fellowship of AA,” said Molly, whose last name is being kept private to respect the tradition of AA. “One alcoholic talking to each other is the way this works. You can have a supportive spouse or family member or friend but it’s not the same as talking to someone who is going through the same struggle.”

With community gatherings either limited or canceled due to the spread of coronavirus, Molly says most AA meetings in the Capital Region, including her own, are currently on hold.

“It has had a big impact, people don’t know where to go to get the support they need,” Molly said.

“One of the biggest issues and a cause of individuals who have an reoccurrence or relapse is isolation,” said Lillian McCarthy, associate director at the Healing Springs Recovery Center in Saratoga Springs.

With the building closed, Healing Springs began hosting its group meetings online this week. Relying on the video conferencing app Zoom, its first online meeting was hosted Thursday morning.

“What we are trying to do is keep our community together, offer them someplace they can come, see faces they are familiar with, hear our voices and just be in contact,” McCarthy said.

“People in recovery, our life, and our success does sort of rely on the strength of community,” said Margo, a Ballston Spa resident who says she’s battled an addiction to alcohol for nearly five years. “For me, at times like this, it is crucial to keep it going.”

Margot is in group treatment at Saint Peter’s Addiction Recovery Center (SPARC) — which neighbors Healing Springs. Her classes are still meeting but have been modified during the pandemic.

“They have been separating us into separate rooms with 10 people in each room, six feet apart,” Margot said Thursday morning.

“We can’t control what the government is doing or what this pandemic is doing but if you want to help it is still out there, you just have to look for it,” said Joseph, a member of Margot’s class at SPARC.

For her treatment, Molly is keeping touch with others in the AA fellowship through phone and email. Decades into her recovery, she says keeping up with her treatment is vitally important during these trying times.

“I am able to share, I am able to hear other peoples’ experience, strength and hope and that is what keeps me going,” Molly said.

Anyone who may be in need of Alcoholics Anonymous’s services in the Capital Region is encouraged to call (518) 463-0906. Further information about meetings is available on the organization’s website. Information about Healing Springs’ services are available on its website. http://www.sararecovery.org/