Sober influences: Following the right accounts

Social media can be a double-edged sword for people in recovery. Social media is addictive in itself and can induce powerful dissociative states. However, when social media is used mindfully, a well-curated, recovery-focused social media feed can bring community information and support to people in recovery.

We’re going to look at how to curate a supportive and positive social media feed with the right sober influences, with some ideas of topics and accounts that you can follow to benefit your recovery.

Curating an inspirational feed

Social media is a rich resource for content that can help you on your journey to recovery. The accounts you follow will be the ones that resonate with you most, and your feed is likely to look different from someone else’s.

Social media is also full of misinformation, unscientific claims and people looking to take advantage of people in vulnerable positions. Be wary of accounts promoting quick fixes for addiction, making spurious claims or selling a product that they claim can cure addiction. Information on social media is limitless and free, so if an account is trying to sell you an expensive supplement or course that will ‘cure’ your addiction, steer clear of it – there is plenty of free, scientifically backed advice available that doesn’t involve paying money.

Accounts to check out

People come to social media for different reasons. Some people will want to follow experts who can shed some light on the nature of addiction itself to help them understand themselves and their addictions further. Other people might want to explore the more mindful or even spiritual aspects of recovery, while some people might want to focus on more practical tips on handling addiction. Social media can also provide inspirational stories from people who have successfully overcome their addictions or provide communities where people can offer mutual support as they navigate their way through recovery.

Accounts about the science behind addiction

For some, learning about the science of addiction can give them a fascinating insight into their own struggle. Addiction research crosses many fields, and psychology, sociology, neuroscience, and mental health all provide insights into different areas of addiction and offer explanations – some distinct and some overlapping.

Huberman lab

Andrew Huberman is a professor of neurobiology at Stanford School of Medicine. As a tenured professor, his research has contributed to significant findings in brain development, function and neural plasticity.

Andrew’s Instagram and podcast, Huberman Lab, explores many topics around psychology, brain function and optimisation – not just addiction. He frequently speaks to experts about the neurobiology of addiction, and his other work in areas of brain development and plasticity emphasises that the brain can heal from addiction over time through rewiring.

Andrew’s Instagram can be found at https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab

Gabor Maté

Dr Gabor Maté is a Canadian physician and bestselling author in the fields of trauma, addiction and mental health. Gabor’s work examines trauma and early experiences as a source of addictions in adulthood and focuses on social dislocation, inequality and injustice.

Gabor’s Instagram can be found at https://www.instagram.com/gabormatemd/

Accounts for mindfulness, meditation and relaxation

Mindfulness has been proven to be successful in recovery, both for treating addiction and improving mental health.Mindfulness is something that you will need to practise – but having the right mindset will make this practice easier. The following accounts aim to make mindfulness-based practices accessible to all.

Eckhart Tolle

Eckhart Tolle is a German teacher and practitioner of mindfulness and best-selling author. His work emphasises the importance of living in the present moment, practising curiosity and compassion and accepting what is – all of which are beneficial to people in recovery.

Eckhart’s Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/eckharttolle

Tara Brach

Tara Brach is an author and meditation teacher who works in the Buddhist tradition. She is the inventor of a mindfulness and compassion meditation technique called RAIN – recognise, allow, investigate and nurture. This technique encourages people to sit with difficult feelings, investigate them with an open mind, and offer compassion to them. In addition to her social media, Tara offers all of her meditations and lectures for free on podcasting platforms, opting to run on donations so that her meditations are accessible to all.

You can find Tara’s Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tarabrach

Yoga with Adriene

Adriene Mishler is a yoga teacher living in Austin, Texas. Through her social media presence and YouTube channel, Yoga with Adriene, she gives free yoga lessons to beginners and advanced practitioners. If yoga is part of your recovery journey, her channels can help get you started at no cost.

You can follow Adriene’s Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/adrienelouise

 

Inspirational stories and practical advice

Clean & Sober

Clean & Sober collects clips of interviews with celebrities and public figures discussing their struggles with drugs and alcohol and how they managed to overcome them. They also post frequent motivation and guides aimed at promoting sober living.

Their Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/clean.andsober

UKAT

UK Addiction Treatment gives an inside look into their treatment centres throughout the UK, with interviews with therapists and service users that aim to demystify addiction treatment. They also offer practical tips on managing addiction and useful information on mental health, drug trends and how addiction affects different communities.

Follow UKAT’s Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ukat_rehabs/

The Sober Girl Society

The Sober Girl Society is a community for sober and sober, curious women. On their social media, you can find details of group chats, meetups and events for meeting other women who are opting to stay sober.

Their Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/sobergirlsociety/

Be Sober and Quit

Be Sober and Quit is the social media presence of Simon Chapple, an author, speaker and sobriety coach. His Instagram offers interviews, motivational tips and reflections on his own journey to sobriety.

Be Sober, and Quit can be found at https://www.instagram.com/besoberandquit

Drop the Bottle

Drop the Bottle is a community for people who want to stop drinking and become the best version of themselves. Their social media focuses on thought-provoking statements and inspirational quotes about alcohol addiction, aimed at getting people to think about and transform their relationship with drinking.

Drop the Bottle’s Instagram page is https://www.instagram.com/drop_the_bottle

Curating your own feed

Many social media influencers succeed by finding their niche – meaning their content discusses something quite specific that other influencers aren’t talking about. This means you can find accounts covering very specific topics, like addiction and the LGBTQ community, fitness and addiction or the connection between mindfulness and addiction recovery. Use hashtags to find accounts that resonate with you, and curate a feed that’s relevant to you and your journey.

You might find it helpful to make a new social media account to follow sobriety-focused accounts. This can give you an online space to log in when you need a boost of motivation, free from triggering content. If you’re confident and good behind the camera, consider sharing your journey on social media – it’s a great way to encounter like-minded people who understand your struggle and that you can connect to.

If you’re feeling inspired to take the next step in your journey to sobriety, get in touch with us today to find out how we can help.