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Our world is one of technology, gadgets, and internet everything. What about using some of that technology to help people get over substance abuse? Like many other fields, substance abuse treatment is also making use of the internet to make things a little bit easier for everyone.
Privacy is an important thing for all of us these days. If a person is struggling with an addiction, they might not want to be seen entering an AA meeting, and it wouldn’t be ideal to bump into a co-worker as they exit an addiction forum. For these people, and for those that find it easier to deal with these issues at home, there are some modern technologies that can allow them to still get the help and support they need right from their computer.
Internet Help Sites
The internet is one of the ways people are getting help for addiction that was never an option to patients before. We now have plenty of self-help sites where you can diagnose and learn how to treat any ailment. But more and more treatment facilities are now offering online help also. This may come in the form of on-line 12 step meetings, chats with professionals, or alumni sites for those that have completed treatment at a facility. All you need to make use of these is a computer with internet access and the willingness to talk anonymously with others about your addiction. There are many professionals that are trying to make it easier for individuals to get treatment, and they are willing to offer even online help.
Internet Support Sites
Another resource for substance abuse and alcoholism help are chat rooms for addicts. These usually consist of individuals weighing in on different topics pertaining to substance or alcohol abuse. While one needs to be careful to not take too much advice from non-professionals like these, chat rooms can give people a whole community of others to instantly talk to about their struggles. These people all have a common bond with their addiction and being able to talk about what they are going through with others that understand can be a step toward recovery. Alcoholics Anonymous and other support groups often will have web-based meetings.
Even with all these helpful sites right in our homes, it is important for those with an addiction problem to be willing to enter a treatment facility for additional help, if needed. These online resources are great for continued support after treatment, or for someone that occasionally abuses a drug or alcohol and isn’t addicted, or even to get a person to realize that they do have an addiction. But to physically get over an addiction will most likely take the help of a specialized treatment facility. Then, once a person is sober, they can make use of chat rooms or online support sites to help them stay sober.
Sources
http://www.12step.com/community.html
