How Reddit Is Helping More Than 50,000 People Recover From Alcoholism | HuffPost Life

'I now look forward to my future.'

By

Life Editor at HuffPost UK

If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, signing into Reddit could help.

That’s according to research from Recovery.org, which suggests the section (or subreddit) Stop Drinking is helping more than 50,000 people fight alcoholism.

The subreddit describes itself as “a place to motivate each other to control or stop drinking” and is full of people sharing their stories, tips and achievements.

The analysis found that 40% of subscribers actively comment and 23% of them publicly display the number of days they have achieved without alcohol.

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The research also identified that 77% of subscribers are still in their first year without alcohol and have a combined 7,918 years of sobriety.

Active members regularly celebrate each other’s achievements and post words of encouragement when someone says they are finding it difficult to stay away from alcohol. In one post, a user thanked the Stop Drinking (SD) community for helping her go into 2017 sober, having achieved her first alcohol-free Christmas in 20 years.

“Tomorrow will be a milestone for me, 100 days sober, 100 days of freedom,” she said.

“It’s further than I’ve ever got before on my journey to recovery. I’m relieved in a way. Relieved that I can do this and that I know now that I have the power to master this pathetic drug that brings nothing to my life but misery.

“My life has changed so much already in such a short time. I now look forward to my future rather than be riddled with anxiety about what I said last night and who I’ve offended. I will not drink today. Thank you to my SD family.”

Another user said it was thanks to the subreddit that they had achieved 36 days without alcohol, saying: “If it wasn’t for this subreddit, I would still be drinking my way towards some terrible fate, a bottle at a time. I’m absolutely sure of it.

“It’s thanks to you that I’m turning things around. Thank you all so much.”

According to the Daily Mail Australia, the researchers described the utilisation of technology as “a crucial step in engaging and supporting recovering alcoholics”.

“For those who have embraced technology on the road to recovery, r/stopdrinking is a constant companion,” they said.

“Its members, committed to honesty and responsibility, proudly display their numbers of days sober. Daily discussions about relapse and alcohol fill the front page, and positive affirmations are freely given to those who may need them the most.

“While Reddit is often used to procrastinate, r/stopdrinking serves a greater purpose. It is a safe place for those battling an invisible disease. The beauty of it all? No one has to fight it alone.”

Signs Of Alcoholism

Abuse: Not Meeting Responsibilities(01 of20)

Abuse, the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability, is shown by one or more of these symptoms during the same year:Repeated substance use to the point of not being able to meet responsibilities -- not performing well at work, being suspended from school, being repeatedly late or absent from required duties, or neglecting household tasks. (credit:Shutterstock)

Abuse: Involving Risk(02 of20)

Abuse, the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability, is shown by one or more of these symptoms during the same year:Repeated substance use when there is risk involved, like operating equipment or driving a car while under the influence. (credit:Shutterstock)

Abuse: Difficulties With The Law(03 of20)

Abuse, the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability, is shown by one or more of these symptoms during the same year:Repeated difficulties with the law related to substance use -- being arrested for physical aggression or drunk driving, for instance. (credit:Shutterstock)

Abuse: Personal Or Social Difficulties(04 of20)

Abuse, the regular use of a substance that leads to serious psychological and/or physical disability, is shown by one or more of these symptoms during the same year:Insisting on using the substance regardless of continued or repeated personal or social difficulties because of it, verbal or physical aggression with a loved one, or frequent arguments about the substance use. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Needing Great Amounts(05 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Needing greater amounts of alcohol to satisfy cravings. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: An Inability To Reduce Use(06 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Using the substance longer than planned or more frequently and in greater amounts.An inability to reduce use, despite a sincere wish to do so. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Going Through Withdrawal(07 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Going through withdrawal when not using alcohol, with symptoms such as tremors, restlessness, and agitation. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Avoiding Withdrawal(08 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Taking a substance or a similar one to avoid the effects of withdrawal. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Spending Time On Alcohol(09 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Spending a significant amount of time trying to acquire the substance.Spending less time at work or on other activities because of substance use; a person may completely abandon previously enjoyable activities. (credit:Shutterstock)

Dependence: Drinking In The Face Of Difficulty(10 of20)

Symptoms of alcohol dependence, a physical need to drink, are identified as three or more of the following within the same year:Continuing to drink despite being aware that alcohol is causing psychological or physical difficulties. (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Saying Inappropriate Things(11 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Does he/she frequently say inappropriate things? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Slurred Speech(12 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Does his/her speech slurred? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Missing Work(13 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Does he/she miss work? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Off Balance(14 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Is his/her balance off when they walk? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Trouble With The Law(15 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Has he/she gotten in trouble with the law, for example, with drinking and driving? (credit:Shutterstock)

Addiction: Health Problems(16 of20)

Stephen Gilman, MD, an addiction specialist in New York City, helps determine the severity of alcohol addiction by asking the following questions:Is he having health issues related to alcohol addiction, such as heartburn, liver problems, high blood pressure, or insomnia? (credit:Shutterstock)

Question To Ask: Should I Cut Down?(17 of20)

Take the CAGE questionnaire -- if the answer to two or more of the four CAGE questions is yes, it is likely you have a problem.C stands for cut-down: Do you ever feel that you should cut down on your drinking? (credit:Shutterstock)

Question To Ask: People Getting Annoyed?(18 of20)

Take the CAGE questionnaire -- if the answer to two or more of the four CAGE questions is yes, it is likely you have a problem.A stands for annoyed: Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? (credit:Shutterstock)

Question To Ask: Ever Felt Guilty?(19 of20)

Take the CAGE questionnaire -- if the answer to two or more of the four CAGE questions is yes, it is likely you have a problem.G stands for guilty: Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking? (credit:Shutterstock)

Question To Ask: Drinking To 'Recover'?(20 of20)

Take the CAGE questionnaire -- if the answer to two or more of the four CAGE questions is yes, it is likely you have a problem.E stands for eye-opener: Have you ever had to drink as soon as you wake up to steady your nerves or get over a hangover? (credit:Shutterstock)

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