I attended a range of new meetings in person and online. Moving to the US, however, brought more options into my life. While I was able to take advantage of online forums, Facebook groups, and interactions on Twitter, my meeting options were still limited, both online and in-person. The expansive network of online support for people in recovery surprised me. I felt like my whole world had opened up.
I found connections on Twitter (through the hashtag #recoveryposse), on Facebook, and through online support groups, and I started reading a range of recovery blogs. Over time, however, I needed less rigidity and fewer rules for my recovery, but I had no other options apart from connecting with people online. There was a tried and tested program of recovery, and years of wisdom available. Meetings were available several times a day, every day of the week. This pathway was incredibly helpful at the time: I had access to a ready-made community of sober people and a support network that provided people to talk to at any time of day. And the treatment centers sent people to AA anyway. The only recovery options were inpatient rehab or in-person Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. I remember when I first got sober, in 2012 in the northwest of England. Virtual meetings are also available globally.
This is particularly helpful for those who work odd hours, are less able-bodied, or who simply prefer the convenience of not needing to leave the house for a meeting. We see this in the huge expansion of recovery pathways, but also in making recovery virtual and a whole lot more convenient. Whether you want to attend a meeting in person, get support from online communities, or attend meetings virtually, there is an option to suit your needs. In recent years we’ve seen a far-reaching expansion of recovery pathways and supports, all geared toward making recovery more accessible. But that image doesn’t necessarily depict the vast array of recovery resources that are available today. When we are thinking of recovery meetings, we often conjure up an image of a church basement, a circle of chairs, pots of strong black coffee, and welcoming faces.
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