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My understanding from friends who spent time in 12 Step groups a few years ago was that the general consensus was for people in the groups to actively discourag

My understanding from friends who spent time in 12 Step groups a few years ago was that the general consensus was for people in the groups to actively discourage each other from connecting on Facebook and other social media and from otherwise revealing their status as "recovering addicts" in these avenues. The expectation of this sort of thing happening was already there, and the principle of anonymity is already broken just by going online and discussing these things. As I understand it, the in-person groups were generally quite effective at self-policing to discourage commercial interests from creeping in. Of course, for people in rural, isolated situations some online contact with others might be the only option. Generally, the groups themselves run online forums and Skype group meetings for these situations. They may not be as flashy and all-pervasive as jumping on the latest social media hype train, but they are a heck of a lot safer when this sort of thing is going on.

exelius 8y ago
Agree in-person help is required, but the groups aren’t for everyone. Personally I kicked my habit with a psychiatrist, a therapist and some new friends — sometimes that’s all you need. Really the thing folks need most is someone they know knows their world. Someone to pierce the veil and tell you it’s all bullshit, and that if you want help you have to actually want help. This is what addicts are looking for online, and unfortunately it’s all too easy to manipulate people in this state. Dealers and con men taking advantage of this ease of manipulation is as old as drug addiction. This happens in NA/AA meetings too, but the sponsors are usually pretty good at spotting them. I don’t trust Facebook to play that role.
retSava 8y ago
Not-connecting on FB might not be enough, since FB can and will connect the dots and suggest attendees as friends based on them being at the same place at the same time (thanks to location tracking from apps and whatnot).

exelius 8y ago

Agree in-person help is required, but the groups aren’t for everyone. Personally I kicked my habit with a psychiatrist, a therapist and some new friends — sometimes that’s all you need. Really the thing folks need most is someone they know knows their world. Someone to pierce the veil and tell you it’s all bullshit, and that if you want help you have to actually want help. This is what addicts are looking for online, and unfortunately it’s all too easy to manipulate people in this state. Dealers and con men taking advantage of this ease of manipulation is as old as drug addiction. This happens in NA/AA meetings too, but the sponsors are usually pretty good at spotting them. I don’t trust Facebook to play that role.

retSava 8y ago

Not-connecting on FB might not be enough, since FB can and will connect the dots and suggest attendees as friends based on them being at the same place at the same time (thanks to location tracking from apps and whatnot).