Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media networks have changed how we connect with each other in countless ways. While social media can have a dark side, it can also be a powerful tool in your recovery journey.
Use Social Media to Nurture Real-Life Connections
At Iron Bridge Recovery Center, we urge graduates of our drug and alcohol addiction treatment program to use social media in a way that helps advance their recovery goals. One of the most powerful ways to use social media is to turn to your favorite networks to stay in touch with friends and family who live too far away to visit on a regular basis.
Sharing photos, videos, recipes, or funny memes can be a way to nurture an ongoing connection despite the physical distance between you. Instead of thinking of social media as a replacement for real-life connections, think of it as one more tool to build a strong support system for your recovery.
Follow Positive Role Models
Friends who post images glorifying drugs and alcohol can trigger cravings that become hard to ignore. People who constantly share a negative outlook can spread those seeds of negativity into your life. Use social media to keep in touch with positive people who will help you live a wellness-focused lifestyle.
Following positive role models can mean staying in touch with friends you made during residential treatment or in a peer support group. It can also mean following sobriety and recovery-focused pages that share helpful content on a regular basis.
Treat Others as You Want to be Treated
When people forget that they’re interacting with a real person on the other side of the screen, they can say things that are deliberately unkind. Keep your temper in check and refrain from saying anything on social media that you wouldn’t say in a face-to-face conversation.
If you’re being cyberbullied, do not engage. This will only escalate the conflict. Keep copies of all communication and report the offender to the social media site you are using. If the behavior continues or includes threats of physical violence, contact local law enforcement.
Resist the Urge to Make Comparisons
It’s human nature to compare ourselves to those around us, but everyone’s recovery journey is unique. In addition, keep in mind that what people share on social media is only a small snapshot of their lives. Most people are sharing a version that shows only the best parts of their day. They’re bragging about promotions at work, lavish vacations, well-behaved children, and attentive spouses. They’re not talking about struggles with depression, managing cravings, or fears of relapse.
It can be helpful to think of social media as the modern-day equivalent of a fashion magazine. Just as the airbrushed models in a magazine are an unrealistic portrayal of real people walking down the street, social media provides a filtered version of what’s going on with your contacts. Everyone—no matter how privileged they first appear—has bad days and inner struggles.
Verify Any Medical Information with Your Care Providers
The internet is full of misinformation, and social media sites can make false claims spread like wildfire. Do not make changes to your treatment plan, such as taking over-the-counter supplements or discontinuing prescription antidepressants, without first talking to your care provider. Evidence-based care is critical to maintaining your sobriety.
Know When to Take a Break
While social media can be a wonderful recovery tool, you don’t want it to become a substitute addiction. To keep yourself from developing an unhealthy relationship with social media, watch for these warning signs:
- The first thing you do when you wake up is check social media.
- You check your notifications constantly.
- You feel bad when your posts don’t get many likes or shares.
- When someone leaves an unkind comment on a post, you obsess about it all day.
- When something exciting happens, the first thing you do is post about it on social media.
- You stage events simply to have something new to post about.
- All the photos you post are heavily edited.
- You use social media to avoid real-life connections.
If you start to feel like social media is having a negative impact on your life, a digital detox may be in order. Put away your phone and your laptop, then go read a book, write in your journal, take a walk outside, try out a new recipe, or simply savor living in the moment.
Lasting recovery requires a balanced approach to life. When you’re mindful of how you’re spending your time, you’ll eventually find a balance that works for you.
