Considerations for the Use of Online Peer Recovery Forums for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders-View Presentation

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Video Summary

In this webinar, Dr. Jason B. Kolditz discusses the use of online peer recovery forums for individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. He highlights the different types of social support commonly encountered in these forums, such as instrumental support, informational support, emotional support, and appraisal support. Dr. Kolditz emphasizes the importance of considering the specific needs and challenges of individuals with serious mental illness when using online forums. For example, he points out that individuals with symptoms of psychosis may struggle with interpreting online information or falling prey to misinformation. Similarly, individuals with symptoms of personality disorders may face challenges in online spaces due to extreme emotional reactions to perceived rejection. Dr. Kolditz also discusses the benefits and risks of social media use in general, noting that while social media can provide support, it can also lead to negative mental health outcomes. He provides recommendations for healthier social media use, such as limiting time spent on social media and engaging in positive interactions. Furthermore, Dr. Kolditz introduces the Near FAR resource, an online guide that provides information on addiction recovery forums. He explains how clinicians can use the resource to explore different forums and gather information to recommend to their patients. Finally, Dr. Kolditz addresses questions from the audience, providing advice on topics such as engaging in online forums, dealing with stigmatizing language, and supporting family members of individuals with substance use disorders. Overall, the webinar highlights the potential benefits and challenges of using online peer recovery forums and provides valuable information for clinicians working with individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders.

Keywords

online peer recovery forums

serious mental illness

substance use disorders

social support

specific needs

challenges

risks

positive interactions

Near FAR resource

clinicians