How Individuals Seeking Help for Substance Use Disorder Adjusted to Virtual 12-Step Meetings During the COVID-19...

Area of Science:

• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Digital Health
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to virtual support services for substance use disorder recovery.
• Traditional 12-step fellowship meetings (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous) transitioned to online platforms.
• Understanding user experiences with virtual recovery support is crucial for ongoing service provision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how individuals in recovery from substance use disorder adapted to virtual 12-step meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To compare virtual and in-person meeting experiences and identify associated challenges.
• To assess the perceived benefits and drawbacks of technology-based recovery support.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews were conducted with 50 individuals attending 12-step meetings in rural New England.
• Participants were recruited from Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
• Interviews focused on virtual meeting attendance, comparisons to in-person formats, and encountered obstacles.

Main Results:

• A preference for in-person meetings was common, yet many participants engaged with virtual options.
• Convenience and accessibility from any location were noted benefits of virtual meetings.
• Challenges included internet connectivity issues, technical difficulties, and distractions during online sessions.

Conclusions:

• Digital recovery support services, including virtual 12-step meetings, should be maintained as a valuable resource.
• Virtual meetings are particularly beneficial for individuals in rural areas with limited access to in-person services or transportation.
• Advocacy for improved internet infrastructure in rural areas is recommended to support digital healthcare needs.