The internet offers many conveniences to modern living, and nearly every living human being on earth has benefited from digital technology. On social media, we share our lives and opinions on every topic under the sun. While some people are merely fond of posting and influencing their digital acquaintances, others rely on it. At Bayview Recovery, we want our clients to understand the relationship between drinking and social media. If you need treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, contact our Tacoma, WA treatment center today at 855.478.3650.

How Are Drinking and Social Media Related?

Social media has advertisements, news, and individual postings that alcohol and tobacco brands use to their advantage. Restaurants and bars use social media to promote drink specials and happy hours. For some individuals, social media also plays a big part in organizing social events where you can get alcohol and drugs. As a result, when you’re scrolling through Facebook or Instagram, you’re being inundated with images and triggers, causing you to think about returning to substance use. This inundation can cause a person with even a mild addiction to feel like they have to use substances again to be “normal.”

Research Linking Drinking and Social Media

You can see celebrities offering their favorite cocktails and party pictures thousands of times a day. American teens absorb this information daily, and most of them have multiple accounts. Many teens spend hours a day on digital media. Some research suggests a link between this exposure to drinking behaviors.

However, this correlation between drinking and social media doesn’t stop in the teen years. Many young adults and older adults see pictures of people drunk or using drugs on social media each day. These individuals are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to substances, requiring treatment programs, such as the one we offer at Bayview Recovery.

At our program, we take an individualized approach to recovery. In other words, we tailor your treatment program to your unique needs, giving you the tools you require to stay sober outside of treatment. Using a variety of individual therapy and group therapy options, our therapists teach you life skills that help you make positive decisions regarding social media use and other possible addiction triggers.

Adverse Relationships

Restrictions prohibit exposing teens to alcohol ads on regular social media sites. However, teens have access to advertisements on websites and other venues. Similarly, even if you try to block alcohol brands on Facebook and other platforms, it’s challenging to do. Your social media may put your recovery at risk if you already crave alcohol and need to avoid friends and places that trigger a return to addictive behaviors.

You may not want to block your friends on social media, even if you can avoid them in person. Seeing their posts may also put you at risk of returning to old habits with people who have unhealthy drinking habits.

Social Media and Recovery

While these negative aspects can leave you feeling overwhelmed, social media can also serve as a source of information for those in recovery. For starters, you can find information about staying sober, getting treatment, and attending AA meetings. In addition, many blogs provide tips on sober living, demonstrating a positive correlation between drinking and social media.

Alcohol Recovery in Tacoma, WA

At Bayview Recovery, we believe that social media can combat the stigma of substance abuse disorders and promote abstinence among teens. Let us help you overcome the adverse effects of drinking and social media and support your ongoing recovery efforts. Contact Bayview Recovery at 855.478.3650 to learn more about our alcohol addiction treatment programs and our 12-step program approach to recovery.