Welcome to Part 4, free resources to use before caving to your craving. This week, we look at social media platforms, and people you can follow to strengthen your recovery. One might not initially consider Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram as resources for preventing a relapse. With the ease of internet access and the fact that most people have smartphones, social media is a great platform to help avoid a relapse.
YouTube
- Beverly Sartain – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgG-kxReSencmmat6b6ZCWA
Beverly has several videos that focus on self-esteem, relationships, relapse prevention, and positivity.
Sober Nation has a plethora of videos recorded by several different people. The topics of a comprehensive range that includes having fun in sobriety, fears and breaking habits, self-sabotage, dealing with chronic pain, and much, much more. Sober Nation also has a podcast for those interested. Videos range from a couple of minutes to an hour. Definitely worth a look.
- Jody Lamb – https://www.youtube.com/user/jodymlamb/about
Jody is an adult child of an alcoholic who uses writing, creating videos, and public speaking to heal. She stated that she is passionate about helping others too. Her YouTube channel offers videos on addiction, personal growth, letting go of shame, and more.
Michael Molthan is the brains behind M2 The Rock. M2 The Rock offers real solutions to addiction, alcoholism, and other unmanageable habits. M2 The Rock airs LIVE on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube weekdays at 12/noon CST. You can also watch past shows on Facebook or Youtube. Visit the website for more information: https://www.m2TheRock.com
- Sober Alley – https://twitter.com/soberalley?lang=en
Allie describes herself as a newly sober 30-something from Los Angeles who shares her journey to help others lead happier lives.
- Addiction Recovery – https://twitter.com/findrecovery?lang=en
Addiction Recovery boasts that it is the world’s only completely independent resource for patient reviewed addiction treatment centers and community-based addiction resources.
Rehabs 411 offers information, media, and support through videos and posts to help uplift those trying to maintain sobriety.
- The Ho tai Wai – Recovery for Women – https://www.facebook.com/Aschoolforrecovery/
The Ho tai Way – Recovery for Women is passionate about helping you begin your journey of recovery. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about addiction and how it affects women. Facebook posts in May featured prominent women who struggled with drugs/alcohol and who are now sober.
- Clean and Sober – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1164455440323021/
Clean and Sober is a support group of men and women to share their experience, strength, and hope with each other. The group guidelines are strict and meant to protect those who use the group. General guidelines include:
- If you wouldn’t say it in a meeting, it does not belong here.
- Any blaming, bullying, rudeness, or name-calling will not be tolerated.
- Any sexual harassment of any form will not be tolerated.
- External links will be deleted.
- Addiction Recovery Support Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/720717014714213/
This support group is described as a judgment-free group for individuals in or who are seeking recovery. Addiction Recovery Support Group will not condone or cosign behavior that enables drug use. The state that they are a group about solutions and advocate a sense of unity within the group. The group allows members who are using suboxone or methadone but warn against anyone suggesting maintenance drugs to another member. In other words, what works for one person might not work for another. Addiction Recovery Support Groups are basic guidelines to protect the integrity of the group:
- Do not suggest or tell other members to use drugs
- No Hate Speech or Bullying
- No Promotions or Spam
- Respect Everyone’s Privacy
- Narcotics Anonymous Recovery Group –
https://www.facebook.com/groups/223660668072234/
The Narcotics Anonymous Recovery group has nearly 82k members. It is a forum for those whose primary goal is to recover from addiction. The group guidelines are like those of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in that NA separates itself from other 12-Step groups. The rules are intended to provide clarity and a sense of safety within the group.
Some of the group rules are:
- Please keep posts recovery related.
- We do not allow discussion of substances, including medically assisted therapy.
- NA is a distinct, unique fellowship – while we have a cooperative relationship with other fellowships, we are separate from them. Please do not discuss other 12 step fellowships in this group (i.e., AA, Celebrate Recovery, etc.)
- Please do not post videos of any kind. Photos should be “meeting appropriate” clothing, no shirtless, or revealing photos. No images of children are allowed.
- We have a zero-tolerance policy on bigotry, homophobia, and sexism.
- Holly Glenn Whitaker – https://www.instagram.com/holly/?hl=en
Holly attempted recovery in 2012 but could not miss work to attend rehab. She took things into her own hands and now writes, speaks, and teaches to help others learn about addiction and recovery.
- Sober Evolution – https://www.instagram.com/soberevolution/?hl=en
After years of being bullied, Austin Cooper became an addict to cope with the pain and insecurity. Years later, he founded Sober Evolution. After attending an AA meeting, Austin decided he needed to change his life for good. This change included sobriety and physical and mental well-being. Austin began working out, reading books, and spreading positivity by sharing quotes on Instagram. Eventually, Sober Evolution became a brand that shares recovery stories, sells merchandise, provides free resources, and hosts events.
- Laura McKowen – https://www.instagram.com/laura_mckowen/?hl=en
Laura is another blogger and soon-to-be-published author who has been sober from alcoholism for over five years. She is known for her eloquent, heartful, and healing writings shared through the internet and magazines. Laura also has a Podcast, Spiritualish that you may want to listen to.
We hope that you have found some beneficial resources from this four-part series. The Ho tai Way – Recovery for Women would love to connect with you to provide you with a list of Zoom meetings for AA, NA, speaker meetings, Gam-Anon, or Al-Anon. If you have been considering treatment or have questions about treatment, we have answers. Contact one of our qualified admissions staff at (714) 581-3974.
