Internet support for dealing with problematic alcohol use: a survey of the Soberistas online community
Internet support for dealing with problematic alcohol use: a survey of the Soberistas online community
Aims: advances in technology have led to an increased range of possibilities for forms of mutual aid in addictions, and patient empowerment in the management of long-term conditions. However, the effective processes involved may be different online than for those that meet in person. Soberistas is a ‘social network site for people who are trying to resolve their problematic drinking patterns’. We aim to describe the population, component parts and processes that define this online community, and consider potential mechanisms of action for future research.
Methods: cross-sectional online survey through an advert embedded within the Soberistas website. Participants were asked questions about themselves, their alcohol use and use of the website.
Results: four hundred and thirty-eight people completed the survey, primarily women, 50% of whom lived with their children. Over 60% described having problematic alcohol use for over 10 years and 46.5% had not tried any form of previous support. Participants accessed the site at different stages of change; over half still drinking alcohol, cutting down or recently stopped. Over 18% reported abstinence of over 1 year. Anonymity, the ability to be honest, being a source of trusted information, and ongoing support were all cited as reasons for continued membership.
Conclusion: Soberistas offers a form of mutual aid primarily for women who have often not engaged with other treatment or support. This preliminary study suggests that the online, flexible, platform affords members an accessible and anonymous community to address their difficulties and encourages a positive ‘alcohol free’ identity.
Short summary: Soberistas is ‘an online community of people who are trying to resolve their problematic drinking patterns’. Preliminary data suggest that it offers a flexible platform for mutual aid primarily for women who have often not engaged with other treatment or support, by encouraging a positive ‘alcohol free’ identity.
220–226
Sinclair, Julia
be3e54d5-c6da-4950-b0ba-3cb8cdcab13c
Chambers, Sophia
144bdaab-9a0e-41d9-b471-6abe343ce375
Manson, Christopher
973e102a-d89d-4bdc-95e8-399fe4b4fc16
March 2017
Sinclair, Julia
be3e54d5-c6da-4950-b0ba-3cb8cdcab13c
Chambers, Sophia
144bdaab-9a0e-41d9-b471-6abe343ce375
Manson, Christopher
973e102a-d89d-4bdc-95e8-399fe4b4fc16
Sinclair, Julia, Chambers, Sophia and Manson, Christopher
(2017)
Internet support for dealing with problematic alcohol use: a survey of the Soberistas online community.
Alcohol and Alcoholism, 52 (2), .
(doi:10.1093/alcalc/agw078).
Abstract
Aims: advances in technology have led to an increased range of possibilities for forms of mutual aid in addictions, and patient empowerment in the management of long-term conditions. However, the effective processes involved may be different online than for those that meet in person. Soberistas is a ‘social network site for people who are trying to resolve their problematic drinking patterns’. We aim to describe the population, component parts and processes that define this online community, and consider potential mechanisms of action for future research.
Methods: cross-sectional online survey through an advert embedded within the Soberistas website. Participants were asked questions about themselves, their alcohol use and use of the website.
Results: four hundred and thirty-eight people completed the survey, primarily women, 50% of whom lived with their children. Over 60% described having problematic alcohol use for over 10 years and 46.5% had not tried any form of previous support. Participants accessed the site at different stages of change; over half still drinking alcohol, cutting down or recently stopped. Over 18% reported abstinence of over 1 year. Anonymity, the ability to be honest, being a source of trusted information, and ongoing support were all cited as reasons for continued membership.
Conclusion: Soberistas offers a form of mutual aid primarily for women who have often not engaged with other treatment or support. This preliminary study suggests that the online, flexible, platform affords members an accessible and anonymous community to address their difficulties and encourages a positive ‘alcohol free’ identity.
Short summary: Soberistas is ‘an online community of people who are trying to resolve their problematic drinking patterns’. Preliminary data suggest that it offers a flexible platform for mutual aid primarily for women who have often not engaged with other treatment or support, by encouraging a positive ‘alcohol free’ identity.
Text
Internet Support for Dealing with Problematic Alcohol Use A Survey of the Soberistas Online Community.pdf
- Version of Record
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 4 October 2016
e-pub ahead of print date: 25 October 2016
Published date: March 2017
Additional Information:
Other than involvement in piloting the questionnaire and hosting it on the website, staff at Soberistas had no involvement in the design, analysis or write up of this study.
Lead to the alcohol programme within the Wessex Academic Health Science Network
Funded by Wessex Academic Health Science Network: Enterprise grant awarded to Soberistas for evaluation of the site
Organisations:
Clinical & Experimental Sciences
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 402378
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/402378
ISSN: 0735-0414
PURE UUID: f26d6416-96f4-4a26-bccd-4cc26ea246c7
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 04 Nov 2016 14:53
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:55
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Contributors
Author:
Sophia Chambers
Author:
Christopher Manson
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