User:Wikiworld2/Online recovery

Online recovery is a distinct form of mental health or addiction recovery that promotes a safe and supportive atmosphere of recovery in the digital sphere.

It could include web discussion forums, an iPhone app like the A.A. eReader application published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc., online journals and blogs or patient involvement with the maintenance and handling of electronic health records as administered as part of a health insurer's database.

Online counseling is offered by some recovery programs for individuals for whom the treatment is most convenient. SupportGroups.com provides counseling for "people who are dealing with life's challenges. This includes therapy and counseling for mental health disorders, addiction, eating disorders, divorce and more."

InTheRooms.com is one example of a global addiction recovery social network. That site helps those seeking help, those in recovery and the family and friends of others in recovery. The site is unique because it is the only recovery-based website online to offer live streaming meetings. The site identifies itself as a "clubhouse" but that definition may conflict with some aspects of the Clubhouse Model of Psychosocial Rehabilitation.

Another example of an online recovery tool is the "RecoveryChat" hashtag operated by SAMHSA.

A further example of an online recovery tool is the website operated by the Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office - the PPAO offers links and digital resources to psychiatric patients online.

According to some 12-step programs (including NA), online recovery may conflict with founding or current principles of anonymity. The 12th tradition of Narcotics Anonymous states that "Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions." Depending on the jurisdiction, this tradition may or may not be applicable. Traditions of NA also remind members to "always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films," but makes no mention of the online digital world. Much of the literature predates the popularity of social media and the Internet.

Legal issues
Among the issues facing addicts or those recovering from mental illness online include the collection of information by non-governmental organizations including private security agencies, insurance agents, and other data warehouse operations.

Maintenance of EHR - Electronic Health Records - is a component of online recovery with respect to fair access to lifetime collections of data stored online. In Canada, the Canada Health Infoway and KnowingIsBetter.ca provide resources to improve the quality of care patients receive, provide health care providers with accurate information, and helps to maintain a sustainable health care system in that country.

Because of the nature of the medium, bullying may play a part in online recovery.