AKA: Online Support Group
A recovery group that meets online via video, chat, or forums instead of in-person.
In the context of addiction treatment:
Provides connection for people who can’t or don’t want to attend in-person meetings due to distance, mobility, schedules, or privacy concerns.
What to know:
-
Many 12-step and non-12-step groups now offer online or hybrid formats.
-
Good internet connection and a private space help you get the most out of it.
-
Can be a lifeline for rural areas, caregiving parents, or people with health issues.
Example:
A parent who can’t easily leave home attends a nightly online SMART Recovery meeting on their laptop.