Online support and co-rumination experiences among adults in substance use recovery

This study examined patterns of perceived social support and co-rumination (e.g., repeatedly discussing problems) in social media recovery groups and associated whole-person wellness among adults in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD).

A cross-sectional online survey (n = 468) was conducted in collaboration with a Community Advisory Board (CAB). The CAB reviewed and refined the survey, led recruitment, interpreted results, and co-authored this manuscript. Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified subgroups based on four online social support domains and three co-rumination domains. Differences were tested in eight wellness dimensions across profiles, adjusting for demographics and engagement frequency.

Four profiles emerged: Low Support-Low Co-rumination, Moderate Support-Moderate Co-rumination, High Support-Minimal Co-rumination, and Very High Support-High Co-rumination. Support and co-rumination consistently co-occurred, and in most profiles, their levels aligned. Both high-support profiles reported higher wellness across all dimensions than the other groups.

High-quality perceived support, whether paired with minimal or frequent co-rumination, was linked to greater engagement in wellness behaviors, challenging the view of co-rumination as uniformly maladaptive. Findings underscore the value of moving beyond abstinence-focused metrics toward outcomes that capture connection, purpose, and quality of life. Intentionally designed online recovery spaces that foster multidimensional support can harness co-rumination as a constructive force for sustaining recovery and promoting holistic wellness.