When you leave residential treatment, support groups will play an integral role in helping you build the foundation for lasting recovery. While in-person meetings are generally preferable, they’re not always convenient. You may work erratic hours, have issues with transportation, or be unable to travel for other reasons.
If face-to-face meetings aren’t an option, online support groups can help you stay on the right track with your recovery goals. In this post, we’ll explore some of the many options available to you.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous has been holding online meetings since 1986. The first meetings took place using bulletin boards, followed by email groups in the early 1990s. Today, meetings are held via video conferencing or phone.
Visit the Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous to search for meetings by day, language, format, and focus. There is also a 24/7 option for those in need of more immediate support.
If you’re wondering how the online meeting format works and how it compares to an in-person meeting, the group has compiled a resource page to answer common questions and offer assistance for those who are unfamiliar with the video conference platform Zoom.
Narcotics Anonymous
Virtual NA provides online meetings for Narcotics Anonymous members who are unable to attend face-to-face support groups. Meetings are sorted by language and day of the week. Most meetings take place over Zoom, but some use Blue Jeans, Skype, Discord, or require you to call a specific number. There are also 24/7 marathon meetings for those who want to attempt to connect with a person immediately.
Online meetings are similar to in-person NA meetings, but you can review the useful information and About Virtual NA pages to learn what to expect from your first online meeting.
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is a secular, scientifically based self-help group for people in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, as well as those with process addictions such as gambling or overeating. To learn more, review our previous blog post SMART Recovery Offers a Possible 12-Step Alternative.
Search for online meetings on the SMART Recovery website, including general meetings as well as those with specific focuses such as eating disorders or sexually maladaptive behavior. Meetings are held in Zoom with voice, video, and text options. There is also a forum where you can ask questions or post your own insights 24/7.
Refuge Recovery
Refuge Recovery members use Buddhist principles and practices as the foundation of their ongoing sobriety. Meditation, personal inventory, mentorship, retreat, and service are integral components of the program.
While Refuge Recovery is a smaller organization and does not hold face-to-face meetings in many communities, you can participate in an online meeting from anywhere in the world. Refer to their calendar of events for details. All meetings are held via Zoom.
Women for Sobriety
Women for Sobriety (WFS) offers support and encouragement for women who do not feel comfortable sharing their recovery stories in a mixed-gender environment. Their online resources include a 24/7 message board where women can share and seek support for their recovery, as well as online text chat meetings that occur one or two times per day. Chat meetings are led by women who are reviewed by the WFS office and certified as chat leaders. Visit their website for details.
In the Rooms
In the Rooms is a free online recovery tool providing 130 weekly online meetings for those recovering from drug or alcohol addiction as well as process addiction and mental health disorders. The site embraces multiple pathways to recovery, including all 12-Step, non 12-Step, wellness, and mental health modalities. Currently, In the Rooms boasts over 550,000 members with an accumulated recovery time of over 2,269,000 years.
To attend a meeting, you must create an account. You can share as little or as much information about your recovery journey as you wish. Some members use their profile to search for recovery-oriented friends, while others prefer to protect their privacy.
In addition to online meetings, In the Rooms also provides blogs and articles covering entertainment, wellness, lifestyle, and relationship topics of interest to people in recovery.
Daily Strength
Daily Strength is an online resource focused on wellness as a general concept. They offer support groups for people with addiction, as well as those who are struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Visit their website to see support groups by category.
If you are experiencing a crisis, the site’s administrators encourage you to contact your healthcare provider or call 911. They have also provided a listing of crisis resources that you might find helpful.
CaredFor
CaredFor is our secure, online platform that allows our alumni to connect, engage, and support one another, while also staying in touch with St. Joseph Institute for Addiction. Inside CaredFor, alumni use a personalized dashboard that tracks sobriety time, provides articles and resource material, and provides support from recovery experts.
Turn to Telemedicine When You Need Professional Guidance
Online support groups can be a wonderful recovery resource, but they should not substitute for professional guidance. When you’re struggling but unable to attend a face-to-face appointment, keep in mind that many facilities now offer telemedicine options. Telemedicine lets you connect with a counselor or other healthcare professional from the comfort of your home using secure video conferencing software. Most health insurance providers provide coverage for telemedicine, with many expanding their options in 2020.
At St. Joseph Institute for Addiction, we offer graduates of our Pennsylvania substance abuse recovery program a number of continuing care options—including telemedicine services. No matter what type of support you need, we’re here to help.
