The Top 5 Benefits of Online Recovery Tools
In today’s post-quarantine world, we have begun to see a massive shift in the emergence of online recovery tools. As recently as a decade ago, those in recovery from addiction had the sole option of attending treatment and meetings in-person. Today, however, people from around the world can experience online recovery from the comfort of their own home.
According to the UK government’s national statistics, the estimated number of people with an opiate addiction who are not receiving treatment has risen over the years, and stands at 46% as of 2020. The percentage of people who aren’t receiving treatment for alcohol use disorder is even higher.
Out of approximately 600,000 people needing treatment for alcohol use, only 107,000 people received it in 2021. Therefore, approximately 82% of individuals did not receive treatment.
One of the barriers to treatment around this time could have been the public health guidelines for social distancing. This caused significant disruption for those who needed to access treatment.
As more online recovery options emerge, the hope is that more people will access the help they need.
If you’re in recovery or want recovery, you may face many barriers to treatment. Some of these include perceived stigma, cost, transportation, family responsibilities, or simply available access to resources.
Fortunately, the availability of online recovery tools and community, via platforms such as Recoverlution, opens up an entirely new world of opportunities for anyone seeking long-lasting recovery.
What are free online recovery tools?
So, exactly how can you experience recovery from your living room? The answer is by utilising the power of online recovery tools.
Online recovery tools are, mostly, free resources that you can access from your phone or laptop. They support you on your journey through recovery from addiction.
As you know by now, ending substance use is an incredible feat to accomplish. However, it is only one part of the recovery process.
Online recovery tools allow you to access constant support, guidance, education, and resources to help you heal and grow.
Free online recovery toolkits and platforms such as Recoverlution can offer you a community of other people who are also in recovery. Whether you join online meetings in these spaces or connect with others individually, accessing community is an integral part of the recovery journey.
An online recovery toolbox can also consist of articles and education to teach you about addiction. When you gain a deeper understanding of the science of addiction and recovery, you build a better awareness that will only help you in your recovery efforts.
Additionally, online recovery tools can consist of wellness videos and education to help heal all aspects of your being. For instance, Recoverlution’s wellness hub includes professional-led videos on breathwork, fitness, nutrition and yoga. It also offers guided meditations and mindset coaching specifically for those in recovery from addiction.
The SMART Recovery toolbox is another great example of an online recovery tool resource. The SMART Recovery toolbox includes a myriad of worksheets, videos, tips, and skills to employ to help you on your recovery journey.
The benefits of free online recovery tools
There are many benefits of using online recovery tools to support you on your journey through recovery. Here are just 5 of the many benefits that online recovery offers.
Top 5 benefits of online recovery tools:
- They are attractive to underrepresented groups
- Pose a recovery opportunity for those fearful of stigma (completely anonymous)
- Have 24/7 online accessibility
- Provide alternatives to traditional recovery programmes
- Provide easy-to-access support for ongoing recovery
We have expanded on the benefits of having an online recovery toolkit below
1. Attracting underrepresented groups
One of the benefits of online recovery tools is their ability to draw in underrepresented groups. This can include minorities, as well as those who are not seeking to completely abstain from substance use.
Research shows that less than 8% of the 32% of minorities who struggle with addiction are actually receiving treatment. A study conducted in 2015 by the Alcohol Research Group found that media recruiting, which didn’t lean on a specific programme of recovery such as 12-step or SMART Recovery, was particularly effective in attracting those from the aforementioned groups.
There are many reasons why underrepresented groups may be more drawn to online recovery tools and communities. They may find that these resources are more in line with their own beliefs. These resources may be more accessible to them. Additionally, they may feel more comfortable and safe accessing these resources at home, rather than engaging in in-person support.
2. Allowing recovery opportunities for those fearful of stigma
Research shows that perceived stigma contributes to the unmet need of substance use disorder treatment. Fortunately, the availability of online recovery tools and toolkits has opened up a world of opportunity for those who struggle with a fear of being stigmatised.
If you struggle with addiction, you may also experience fear of judgment and scrutiny. You may struggle with self-esteem and self-worth. Additionally, you may not feel safe allowing yourself to be vulnerable in person with others. Online recovery tools and communities offer an alternative to mediate this barrier.
Many platforms and communities allow you to join with a different name, or let you keep your webcam off during meetings for sake of privacy. You can access the tools and resources you need in the comfort of your own home without anyone having to know. The allowance for privacy and anonymity provides a beacon for anyone struggling with fear of stigma.
3. Increasing availability of support
Online recovery tools increase the accessibility of support in recovery for everyone, regardless of their geographic location. Research indicates that most treatment facilities (92%) are located in urban areas and major cities, making them harder to reach for those in rural areas. The same can be said for in-person recovery such as AA meetings or CA meetings.
For those in rural locations, transport can also pose an issue, with limited public transportation available causing a further barrier. However, online tools provide a means for those with limited access to treatment, to find the support they need.
Many platforms and treatment providers offer telemedicine and telehealth, so that those seeking recovery can attend individual or group sessions virtually. With meetings being offered across the globe, you can quickly and easily access support at any time of day or night. This is truly invaluable in recovery. Additionally, online meetings and tools can be used as a supplement to in-person meetings and one-on-one therapy.
4. Offering alternatives to unaligned recovery programmes
While many spiritual individuals find solace in the traditional 12-step programme of recovery, the framework’s spiritual undertone also acts as a barrier for many. A study conducted in 2014 found that the element of recovery endorsed by the fewest participants as part of their recovery was the element of spirituality.
A separate study conducted in 2016 found that members of programmes outside of 12-step were typically of higher income and education level. The study found that these alternative programmes may have been more appealing to these individuals due to their utilisation of cognitive behavioural strategies rather than a heavy emphasis on religion or spirituality.
Online recovery tools and communities offer a wide variety of options for you to explore in recovery. This offers you the opportunity to engage in resources, tools, and meetings that align with your own inherent beliefs. If the 12-step framework doesn’t feel aligned, there are so many other options for you to dive into.
5. Providing necessary ongoing support and tools
Recovery is an ongoing journey that truly lasts a lifetime. As you move through life, you will continue to heal and grow, experiencing new depths of insight and wisdom within you. You'll find that your needs and desires begin to shift, and down the line, will shift again. One of the most important elements of recovery, and nurturing your current and future self, is having ongoing support.
Many treatment centres offer a detox program and a short stay, failing to enforce efficient aftercare. The lack of emphasis on the importance of maintaining treatment after leaving a programme can cause many people to fall back into old habits and behaviours, and even experience relapse.
Fortunately, online recovery tools can provide ongoing support in the form of meetings, education, skill-building and wellness resources.
Experiencing recovery from your living room with Recoverlution
Whether you're looking for wellness resources, tips to help you in early recovery, support in later recovery, or knowledge and tools to help you on your journey, Recoverlution has you covered.
Recoverlution is an online recovery platform dedicated to providing anyone affected by addiction with all the support, education, community, and wellness recourses needed to experience long-lasting recovery from addiction.
Some of the free online recovery tools Recoverlution offers are:
- Online meetings
- Addiction and recovery education, insight, and information
- Wellness education for mind, body, and spirit
- Community support
- Gratitude lists, journaling tools and inventory process
By simply exploring the Recoverlution website and stepping into some of the articles, you’ll feel less isolated and alone on your recovery journey. You’ll quickly come to find that many of the challenges you’re facing aren’t as unique as you thought, and that there is so much universality in your obstacles.
To access and use any of Recoverlution’s addiction recovery tools, simply join the community membership for free.
Recoverlution also offers a subscription-based Wellness Hub that offers on-demand evidence-based treatment conducive to increased well-being. Our Wellness Hub professionals focus on increased mental, emotional and physical fitness, and decreased stress levels, specifically for those in recovery from addiction.
Some of the online recovery tools available in the Recoverlution wellness hub are:
- Guided breathwork classes
- Guided meditation series’ specifically for those in recovery, centred on a variety of topics, from forgiveness to integrity and more
- Recipe videos for easy and nutritious meals to support a healthy body and brain in recovery
- Yoga classes
- Fitness and workout classes
- Mindset coaching and mindfulness
Using an online recovery toolkit such as ours at Recoverlution can provide you with all the support you need as you navigate the ups and downs of your recovery journey.
Resources
- Adult substance misuse treatment statistics 2020 to 2021: report: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/substance-misuse-treatment-for-adults-statistics-2020-to-2021/adult-substance-misuse-treatment-statistics-2020-to-2021-report#meeting-the-needs-of-people-who-are-dependent-on-alcohol-and-drugs
- Addiction Recovery Statistics: https://www.addictionguide.com/recovery/statistics/
- Stigma as a Barrier to Substance Abuse Treatment Among Those With Unmet Need: An Analysis of Parenthood and Marital Status: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5754000/
- Why Some Have Less Access to Addiction Treatment: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/substance-use-disorder-treatment-access
- SMART Recovery toolbox: https://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/