Growing online communities offer support amid opioid crisis

(Mashable, March 29) As opioid addiction continues to grip the nation, thousands people are turning to online communities for support.

Recovery groups on Facebook and social networks specifically for those in recovery, like In the Rooms, are growing.  The fact that these communities can offer free, anonymous, constant support could be behind their popularity, Mashable reports.

But doctors caution that those suffering from addiction shouldn’t rely on online communities alone.

"Going online and having these discussions, you might think that this is all you need to do for your recovery, and that's problematic. It can lead to one person who has a lot of influence over other people," psychiatrist Dr. Paolo Mannelli, from Duke Health told the news outlet. Read more.