5th Edition of Addiction World Conference 2026

Abstract

Background: Digital Recovery Support Services (D-RSS), including social media, mobile applications, and online platforms, have become increasingly prevalent in substance use disorder (SUD) recovery. While prior research has examined specific types of D-RSS, less is known about overall usage patterns among individuals actively in treatment.

Methods: Data were drawn from a longitudinal cohort study (Project RENEW) of individuals enrolled in SUD treatment across three U.S. states (N=182). D-RSS use was assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Cochran’s Q tests and post-hoc McNemar tests examined usage at three timepoints. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests evaluated demographic and recovery-related differences. Qualitative responses were analyzed to characterize types of D-RSS used.

Results: D-RSS use was the highest at early recovery (baseline: 67.0%; 3 months: 55.5%; 6 months: 40.7%; p<.001). Women were more likely to use D-RSS than men (76.0% vs. 61.0%), and married individuals reported higher use than single or divorced individuals (p<.05). No significant differences were observed across most other demographic or treatment variables. D-RSS types clustered into two tiers: high-use platforms (text messaging, social media, mobile apps) and lower-use platforms (websites, chatrooms, email). Text messaging and social media were the most frequently reported modalities, with Facebook being the most commonly cited platform.

Conclusions: D-RSS use is most prominent during early recovery and declines over time, suggesting that individuals may rely less on digital supports as recovery progresses. High-use platforms reflect everyday communication technologies rather than formal interventions, highlighting the importance of naturalistic digital environments in recovery support. These findings can inform the design of scalable, accessible digital interventions tailored to early recovery needs.