Online recovery meetings are a great way to maintain sobriety. They allow you to communicate with people who understand your struggles and offer tips from a lived experience.
LifeRing is an abstinence-based group that offers in-person and online meetings. They also provide events, coaching, resources and more.
| Have you tried Meetn, the new online meeting platform? It’s turning out to become a decent alternative to Zoom and to the other major platforms. |
She Recovers is for women in recovery. They host retreats and events, and provide coaching and resources for women in recovery.
12-Step Meetings
12-Step Meetings are peer support groups for individuals struggling with addiction and other issues such as eating disorders, gambling addiction, and co-occurring mental health conditions. They are typically based on a specific program that helps individuals achieve abstinence from certain substances or maladaptive behaviors and are usually run without the involvement of healthcare professionals. The first 12-step program was Alcoholics Anonymous, but today there are many different types of 12 Step programs that address different substance abuse or behavioral problems.
Meetings generally consist of weekly, face-to-face or virtual sessions where participants share their personal stories and experiences related to addiction or other issues with others in the group. The meetings follow a set structure and are led by a leader or group facilitator who provides educational materials for the members. These materials may include information about the program, the 12 steps and traditions, and other topics that can be helpful to people in recovery or their family members.
In addition to the educational material, 12-Step Meetings offer moral support to people who are battling addiction. They also provide a structured environment that can help to reduce boredom and isolation, which are often a trigger for drug or alcohol cravings. They can also be a useful tool for strengthening an individual’s sober network because they often involve meeting with other people who have similar goals and can serve as a source of accountability and encouragement.
12-step programs encourage their members to find a sponsor who can guide them through the program and support them in their journey to sobriety. While the word “God” is frequently used in 12-step literature and discussions, there are no requirements or restrictions on what a sponsor should be. Many 12-step programs also have alternative or secular options for those who do not believe in or are uncomfortable with the concept of a higher power.
One of the biggest obstacles to addiction recovery is building a strong sober network. 12-Step Meetings can be a great place to meet new friends who are also in recovery or who are avoiding drugs or alcohol. They can also be a way to maintain contact with existing sober friends and to get social support when cravings or stresses arise.
Some individuals have had previous experiences with 12 Step meetings in the past and are hesitant to try them again. In these cases, it is important to have a healthcare provider assess the individual’s current needs and determine whether a different type of peer support group might be more beneficial. They can also provide education about the different 12 Step programs and their formats, and make referrals to other recovery meetings that might be appropriate for the individual’s situation. If a person has had prior negative experiences with 12-Step Meetings, it is important to consider what factors contributed to that experience and whether those barriers can be overcome. The healthcare provider may recommend that the person attend an open meeting or participate in a closed meeting with a trusted friend, relative, or treatment provider.