Table 2.

Qualitative findings of experiences with recovery capital among women in SUD recovery through COVID-19 (March–June 2020).

Recovery capital domain	Key themes and trends (+) = positive or adaptive experience (−) = negative experience	Illustrative quotes (age of participant, month of interview)
Social Relationships	▪Abrupt social isolation in April and May (−)	▪“We can't have contact with anyone outside of your house. We can't be affectionate with anyone which has impacted my mental health because I liked getting hugs and fist bumps. It has affected my mental stability for sure. I can't focus on classes a lot” (age 22, April).
	▪Reduced access to children, partners and relatives in April and May (−)	▪“Really not seeing my kids is triggering my thoughts to maybe use but I haven't done anything. I feel like I am being punished or something” (age 38, May). ▪“We haven't been able to see grandma and grandpa and that affects my daughter emotionally because she did live with them for two years when I was in prison. She just doesn't get why we can't see them and face-timing isn't enough” (age 33, April).
	▪Access to social support though new means like virtual counseling/ support groups or new jobs (+)	▪“My sobriety has been fine. I still have virtual meetings over the phone and I look forward to these virtual meetings because I love my AA people” (age 24, May). ▪“I have been working at a nursing home for almost two months…this job has allowed me to have good social interaction. I have gotten close to a few patients, especially because I am working in long-term care” (age 29, April).
	▪Family reunifications brought relief in May and June (+)	▪“I am finally allowed to see my kids twice a week! My case got moved along because COVID restrictions are being lifted” (age 38, June). ▪“I was finally able to see my family on Mother's Day and that was really awesome. My mom is elderly, she just turned 69. It was kind of iffy going down there because of everything going on. But we all had time to go and it fell into place so we went. It was amazing finally giving her a hug and spend some quality time with her. It's been a few months since we have been able to consider it. It was just time to go see her” (age 31, May).
Income and Employment	▪Some reported serious financial difficulties related to job loss or reduced hours (−)	▪“Losing a job has affected my income. I worked at a bar and grill and it shut down until further notice. I didn't work long enough for unemployment. [My recovery home] is still expecting the rent. I am trying really hard to find a new job” (age 29, April). ▪“I have no income now and I have a newborn baby. It is really stressful. I can't buy formula or diapers or anything he needs. I can't pay bills, rent my phone bills. We have WIC but it only last for like half the month” (age 30, April).
	▪Government assistance was newly expanded for some (+) but not enough for others (−)	▪“Financially, I got accepted for food stamps. So me and my kids have that assistance which is really helpful. I also got my Medicaid back. It is kind of nice the virus is here since I haven't had this stuff in a while” (age 26, April). ▪“I didn't have income for 3 to 4 weeks. I applied for unemployment but I got denied. I got approved for something with the CARES act but $133 a week is not enough to survive on. I can barely buy food and groceries” (age 24, June).
	▪Demand for essential jobs opened new opportunities (+)	▪"[The pandemic] actually got me a job because a lot of people are quitting. I work in the nursing home. I do housekeeping and dietary. I was not working before" (age 29, April). ▪“I am trying to find a job and hopefully it doesn't take too long. There are people working who are considered essential and so I have been applying to those places” (age 28, April).
Housing	▪Delays in housing assistance programs and lockdowns interrupted plans to transition to independent living (−)	▪“Everybody has to stay in. I have my own room, but there are other girls here like eleven girls total. Well I am moving back home, in May. If the virus is still going I will have to stay here until it is all clear to go” (age 23, April). ▪“We have asked if they would kick us out after 90 days and they don't know because they need to make room for new people coming in. I am not sure what my situation will look like. I have even applied for other housing programs that are long-term but they won't accept us with everything going on” (age 33, April).
	▪New rules and restrictions caused stress for women residential programs (−)	▪“It was stressful living at [residential program] with corona. Everyone was in constant panic and I wasn't able to grow. I became depressed and was going into a bad mental state. [The program] was too high-strung about corona and over-controlled us, which caused everyone to panic” (age 22, June).
Health care	▪Not all tried to access health care, but all had the perception of reduced access throughout the study period (−)	▪“A lot of doctor's offices don't want to do anything” (age 36, May). ▪"I've had trouble making an appointment because no one is picking up. I don't know if they are scheduling appointments yet" (age 24, June).
	▪Delayed or cancelled appointments for wellness checks, sexual health, and dental care (−)	▪“I want to go in and get my tubes tied or have an IUD done and they keep putting it off “(age 38, May).
	▪Pre-existing barriers were exacerbated, as public transportation became less available and navigating or paying for services became more challenging for the uninsured (−)	▪“It's been hard to contact the state to get health care subsidies. For me, it's easier to go in and talk to someone in person, but everything is still over the phone” (age 30, June). ▪“Getting to appointments has been nearly impossible. Corona has pretty much affected everything – like my work, my home life with the lockdown, all my medical appointments” (age 31, May).
	▪Access to medication was generally unaffected, even improved for some (+)	▪“They were giving me refills without a visit because of COVID-19” (age 26, June).
	▪Mixed opinions on telehealth (−/+)	▪“I would want to see the doctor face-to-face for the problem I have. I don't know why I feel that way. That is just how I see it. A lot of the women who are in recovery might not have a phone or the ability to get to one of those meetings through video” (age 30, June). ▪“It depends on what it's for. Mental health or general medicine can be over telehealth. It helps because you don't have to take an entire day off of work and go here or do that. It isn't a burden on your family to go in. I think it's a good option. It is a viable option. Especially in the current situation” (age 33, June).