If you’re in the midst of recovering your life from addiction, having a support system can be a huge help.
Even though therapy, weekly support group meetings, and other common treatment plans can drastically reduce your chances of a relapse, you have another, more modern tool at your disposal: social media.
Did you know that there are over 2.5 billion social media users around the globe? Social media can have an impact on your addiction recovery by connecting you with millions of others who want to cheer you on.
Here are a few ways you can use social media as a recovery support tool.
Sponsor Others Online
Social media can be a fantastic tool to help you reach out to others in need, as well. Once you’ve become more confident in your recovery, you can reach out and offer peer to peer support to those struggling.
Sharing your story may seem like a small, insignificant action, but your words can have a wonderful impact on those around you. So don’t be afraid to open up, be honest, and let your digital peers know what your sobriety means to you.
You never know how important your words could be. You may just save someone’s life.
Join Recovery Support Groups
While many people use social media for general uses such as keeping up with friends, many sites let users create and join groups. And with over two billion people on some form of social media, you can rest assured that there’s undoubtedly a support group for you.
Let’s say you’re struggling with benzodiazepine addiction. Simply typing ‘benzodiazepine addiction support’ on Facebook, for instance, will generate tons of groups you could join.
Think of these groups as 24/7 recovery meetings where you can drop in and out as needed.
If Need Be, Remain Anonymous
Not everyone is comfortable sharing their personal life and history with strangers on the Internet. Suffice to say, security is a major concern for many social media users.
Should you feel uncomfortable using your actual name, you can simply create another account for your peer to peer support over social media. You’ll still reap all the benefits of peer support without any of the awkward personal details.
Head Online When You Can’t Reach Your Sponsor
It’s 3 AM and you’re wide awake. Your whole body shakes and your heart feels like it’s about to rip out of your chest. Your brain is overrun with the need to use, and you need help now.
You grab your cell phone and try to call your sponsor. Understandably, you can’t get a hold of them.
Now it’s just you and your thoughts.
Unless you’re using social media to aid your recovery, that is. The wonderful (and sometimes detrimental) thing about social media is that there’s always someone online.
That means support whenever you need, wherever you need it even if you can’t make it to a meeting or talk with your sponsor.
Final Thoughts On The Uses Of Social Media For Recovery Support
Social media can be a wonderful tool. Whether you’re using it to help others or simply to get through the day without falling back into old habits, digital recovery support can help you meet and connect with others.
Be sure to check out our archives to learn more great social media tips and tricks.
