Internet Support for Dealing with Problematic Alcohol Use: A Survey of theSoberistasOnline Community

Abstract

AimsAdvances in technology have led to an increased range of possibilities for forms of mutual aid in addictions, and patient empowerment in the management of long-term conditions. However, the effective processes involved may be different online than for those that meet in person. Soberistas is a ‘social network site for people who are trying to resolve their problematic drinking patterns’. We aim to describe the population, component parts and processes that define this online community, and consider potential mechanisms of action for future research.MethodsCross-sectional online survey through an advert embedded within the Soberistas website. Participants were asked questions about themselves, their alcohol use and use of the website.ResultsFour hundred and thirty-eight people completed the survey, primarily women, 50% of whom lived with their children. Over 60% described having problematic alcohol use for over 10 years and 46.5% had not tried any form of previous support. Participants accessed the site at different stages of change; over half still drinking alcohol, cutting down or recently stopped. Over 18% reported abstinence of over 1 year. Anonymity, the ability to be honest, being a source of trusted information, and ongoing support were all cited as reasons for continued membership.Conclusion Soberistas offers a form of mutual aid primarily for women who have often not engaged with other treatment or support. This preliminary study suggests that the online, flexible, platform affords members an accessible and anonymous community to address their difficulties and encourages a positive ‘alcohol free’ identity.Short Summary Soberistas is ‘an online community of people who are trying to resolve their problematic drinking patterns’. Preliminary data suggest that it offers a flexible platform for mutual aid primarily for women who have often not engaged with other treatment or support, by encouraging a positive ‘alcohol free’ identity.

Sex and Gender Effects in Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder

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‘Berrypicking’ in the Formation of Ideas About Problem Drinking Amongst Users of Alcohol Online Support Groups

“…It is possible that this cohort has more confidence in selecting and assessing information and therefore felt more at ease with rejecting group beliefs that did not appear true to them. However, high levels of education amongst study participants have been noted in several studies of users of non-12-step alcohol support groups, e.g., [7,28]. It is possible that the interviewees studied here are in fact representative of active users of these groups.…”

Participation with online recovery specific groups - findings from the UK Life in Recovery survey 2015

“…Best et al (2015) demonstrated that males and females often have differing recovery pathways; particularly, men favor Alcoholics Anonymous more than females (Alcoholics Anonymous, 2012; Kelly & Hoeppner, 2013). Sinclair, Chambers & Manson (2017) surveyed members of Soberistas (Rocca, 2016), a social network site primarily aimed at women trying to resolve alcohol problems, finding that of the 438 women taking part in the crosssectional survey, 46.5% reported they had not tried any other forms of support, suggesting that for these women the flexibility that this platform offered in terms of engagement and anonymity helped foster alcohol free identities. Feminist research (Staddon, 2005) supports the notion that offline groups such as AA merely reflect the patriarchal structure of society in micro, which partially explains the attraction of Soberistas for some women.…”