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Social media can have negative and positive influences, especially for those going through their recovery journey. It is crucial to find ways to stay connected with other people to continue to develop social skills and support systems. However, social media can also cause difficulties in the recovery process. Social media should be monitored to ensure that someone maintains a healthy relationship with their devices and support systems. Moderating social media use and its potential dangers can help someone balance their need to be connected to others in their support circle while maintaining overall mental health through the recovery process.
Benefits and Dangers of Social Media
The use of social media has opened many doors to those in recovery. It can provide someone with a constant support system by allowing someone to send messages to others at all hours of the day and help combat any feelings of isolation. Social media can also be used to develop entire communities of individuals in recovery. These communities provide access to like-minded people who may have new therapeutic ideas and approaches and multiple understanding people to confide in about one’s struggles. However, social media can also make recovery very difficult as it can connect someone to the rest of the world and potential stressors.
Social media can cause someone to become triggered. Pictures of friends and family drinking a beer, advertisements of alcohol, or references to drug use in music, are all examples of possible stressors that come with social media use. Before someone is ready to benefit from social media, it is crucial to have several personal coping strategies. These coping mechanisms will help if stories, images, or advertisements arise that are triggering.
Social media can also present problems of comparison. Someone may begin to compare themselves and their lives to photos of those around them’ seemingly idyllic lives. However, using social media can unfair comparisons when there is no context, creating a situation where someone may not feel good enough about their progress. Comparison can be detrimental to and unjust to a person’s recovery. Someone may judge their skills and lives based on others’ images and experiences rather than their progress and strengths.
Regulating Time
Setting a predetermined amount of time to engage with social media can help mitigate the chances of developing an unhealthy relationship with the phone. To help set time restraints, someone can let others know of their social media schedule. Involving another person can help accountability and ensuring that someone will be available to help talk about issues.
Someone can also put restraints on themselves, depending on the time of day. Turning phones and social media alerts off at night can prevent unhealthy relationships and help prepare for a good night’s sleep.
Use Social Media with Intention
Social media is still a tool and should be used when needed, instead of consistently throughout the day. Using social media can be beneficial when someone has a particular message to send or during times of stress through the recovery process. Controlling use can also help others know that the messages must be important if someone is reaching out on social media.
Social media is a powerful tool and can give someone access to an entire world of support systems. However, it can also be a source of immense stress. Using social media as a regulated tool in recovery can help someone continue to progress in their recovery with like-minded individuals while ensuring that they do not see social media as a coping mechanism. This distinction is essential as someone continues to develop coping mechanisms or prepares for their transition out of recovery.
Social media use can provide not only positive experiences but negative ones as well. Social media can bring about stress, especially when someone is in recovery. However, there are numerous ways you can control your social media use. If you or a loved one are struggling with your relationship to addictive substances or behaviors, START UP RECOVERY can help you take the first steps in your path to recovery today. Your time with us is personally curated. You will work with professionals, peers, and mentors to develop an individualized therapy plan by building on your strengths and identity. We provide a safe, luxurious, comfortable place to confront your vulnerabilities with like-minded people. For more information on the various ways in which START UP can help you begin to take control of your future, or speak to our caring, trained staff members about the opportunities available to you and your unique circumstance, call us today at (310) 773-3809.