Traditional in-person sobriety support systems more effective than online systems

Traditional in-person sobriety support systems led to greater sobriety success than online support systems, according to study findings presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention.

“One of the most hotly debated media issues today is whether our rapidly increasing use of social networking might be supplanting face-to-face interactions and, if so, what the social consequences might prove for us as a culture,” Donald S. Grant, PhD, of Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California, said in a press release. “Our study focused on better understanding the strengths and weaknesses of online versus face-to-face sobriety support.

Researchers used Facebook and other online social media platforms to identify and enroll 196 adults who reported using both in-person and online sobriety support systems. Study participants (aged older than 18) completed a survey that evaluated their beliefs, behaviors and opinions on face-to-face and online sobriety support systems. More than 90% of the cohort reported they were in recovery for more than a year.

Survey results indicated participants preferred in-person sobriety support systems significantly more than online support, though online support received praise from participants as well.

More participation in in-person meetings predicted greater sobriety success, while more participant in online meetings predicted less sobriety success.

Study participants reported they were more likely to lie about sobriety success and be drunk or high during in-person meetings.

Researchers observed a moderate decrease in in-person sobriety support meeting attendance when participants engaged in online sobriety support and predicted a greater migration to online sobriety support in the future.

“With more and more people engaging in online sobriety support, the recovering community and professionals alike wonder what impact these modern platforms could have on both the future of Alcoholics Anonymous and its membership,” Grant said in the release. “When comparing the short amount of time online sobriety support has even been accessible to the number of those participants currently engaging with it, the likelihood that its popularity will only grow seems probable.” – by Amanda Oldt

Reference:

Grant DS, et al. Using social media for sobriety recovery? Preferences, beliefs, behaviors, and surprises from users of online and social media sobriety support. Presented at: American Psychological Association Annual Convention; Aug. 6-11, 2015; Toronto.

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