Online communities or websites that provide information and connection to a like-minded community for people who are using drugs. These communities can be facilitated by both peers within the community and professionals.
How could it be helpful?
Online support can be a fantastic, easy-to-access support option. You can read what other people are writing before sharing your own experiences. They can also be a great option if you’re nervous about attending support groups or community meetups in person or live in a place where it is hard to get to in-person support.
Online support provides a way to connect with other people who are going through similar experiences while giving you the option to stay anonymous and engage from home.
How to access?
Depending on what you’re looking for, there are many different online communities you can join. Here are some online communities:
Living Sober is a friendly community where you can talk honestly and anonymously with others about your relationship with alcohol. It’s free for everyone and you’re welcome no matter where you’re at in your journey. Explore the site to find tools and inspiring material to help stay in control of your drinking.
Peer Support Recovery Network are a Facebook group that is set up to connect people in early recovery/considering recovery to peers who are living in long term recovery around the country. This group supports many different paths to recovery. People are encouraged to share what has worked for them but to also exercise the essential spiritual principle of open mindedness and recognise that everybody has a different path.
There are also many support groups like SMART Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous that have meetings you can join online through Zoom. These can help you connect with others that are using drugs to help set goals and make changes.
Family Drug Support also have online support meetings for the family/whānau of people who use drugs. These groups focus on building resilience and coping strategies through information sharing, learning about support services, and understanding the journey that whānau/family experience.
Just a Thought is a free online programme with courses based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It includes modules for mental wellbeing as well as support around alcohol and drug use, which you can do at your own pace.
Social media sites like Facebook and Reddit also have many online support communities for people that use drugs.
Real experiences
"I am very grateful and also very proud to be a member of Living Sober. I can say without reservation that the reason I now have a happy, full and successful life without the desire to drink alcohol, ever, is because of the power behind this site. It is about connection. It is about feeling heard. It is about giving and receiving support – each one just as important as the other.
We feel safe here. We feel understood. It is such a privilege to be a part of this community."
- Prudence (Living Sober Community Member)