Is Social Media Helping or Harming Your Recovery?

By now you know that social media has its list of health pros and cons – but it’s not going away anytime soon, so how can you use it to help (not harm) your recovery? 

Depending on your stage of recovery, your best bet is to follow the rules of your rehab. If they have a no social media policy, stick with it. If you are able to use social media, however, it can offer you support and guidance. For example, you can read inspirational stories of people in recovery and reach out to trusted online friends and family for support. Simply put, social media can provide a virtual group of cheerleaders as you work toward lasting sobriety. 

Social media can also help you to grow your supports, connecting to the recovery community and others who can relate to your experiences. To create a more inspiring and positive social media experience, follow these guidelines: 

• Monitor your use. Studies show that more than two to three hours on social media can lead to depression as well as social media addiction. If you find yourself experiencing FOMO or social media is making you feel bad about yourself and your life, disconnect and talk to a healthcare professional. 
• Limit connections. Be sure to block anyone who could serve as a trigger or fuel a relapse. 
• Stay away from negativity. Only engage with those who support your recovery. 
• Build an online community. Create a group on your preferred social media site and add people and counselors who you meet in rehab. 
• Avoid too much content. Flooding your social media will make it hard for your supports to identify any posts that really matter. 
• Vet the information. Don’t accept any medical advice unless it’s from a trusted source like a mental health professional, counselor or your rehab center. 

A Smoother Transition to Independence

At Hope Academy, our aftercare support services aim to help young adults ease the stress of overwhelming responsibility so clients can transition slowly back to the rigors of “real life.” To learn more, call 866-930-4673.

How Social Media Can Save a Life

Numerous studies have noted the harmful effects of social media on your mental health – but, when used properly, platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat can also be a positive way to connect those in need to proper mental health care and support. 

Personal social media accounts “can provide an important window into a person’s state of mind,” according to research by the Department of Defense Suicide Prevention Office.

As part of its Mental Illness Awareness Week efforts, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) recently ran an article entitled “Can Social Media Save a Life?” that talked about how social media can be used to identify mental health warning signs among friends and family. 

“It’s up to us to look out for mental health warning signs while on social media so we are better prepared to assist a friend in need,” wrote NAMI. 

Here are some of the behaviors to watch out for: 

1. Cyberbullying

• Harassing messages or comments
• Fake accounts made to impersonate someone else
• Someone posting unwanted pictures or images of another person

2. Negative statements about themselves, even if it sounds like they are joking:

• “I’m a waste of space.”
• “No one cares about me.”
• “I seriously hate myself.”

3. Negative leading statements, with little to no context that prompt others to respond:

• “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve been through.”
• “Today was the worst day ever.”
• “It’s like everyone is against me.”

As you scroll through your social media feeds, the NAMI urges you to be mindful of what others are posting. This way, you can know when to reach out and offer support or even "save a life."

Dual-Diagnosis Treatment at Hope Academy
Existing mental health issues often surface during addiction recovery. That’s why we offer treatment protocols for co-occurring substance use disorders and mental illnesses. To learn more, call today: 866-930-4673.

Secret Hashtags Parents Need to Know

Have you checked your child’s Instagram account lately? If not, you may want to reconsider and be sure to keep an eye open for a few secret code words hidden in their posts. 

According to a recent article on Parents.com, researchers have found that young adults are using hidden hashtags to connect with others engaging in risky or self-harming behavior, including getting high, making themselves throw up, and/or cutting themselves.   

Megan A. Moreno, MD, MPH, who practices adolescent medicine at Seattle Children's Hospital, along with three colleagues, scrutinized hundreds of Instagram posts to identify which hashtags were most used by kids. They published their findings last year in the Journal of Adolescent Health — and now, many experts are determined to help parents better monitor their kids’ social media use, according to the article. 

Here's a list of the top 10 secret hashtags that parents need to know:

1. #deb for "depression"
2. #sue for "suicide"
3. #ana for "anorexic"
4. #mia for "bulimia"
5. #ednos for "eating disorder not otherwise specified"
6. #thinsp for "thinspo" or "thinspiration"
7. #borderline for "borderline personality disorder"
8. #svv for "selbstverletzendes verhalten" or self-harming behavior
9. #secretsociety123 for a community of people who engage in NSSH, or non-suicidal self harm
10. #420 for "weed" or "pot," which can also be represented by the maple leaf emoji, any of the green leaf or tree emojis, the pineapple (referencing the movie Pineapple Express), and the green check mark, as in "Yes, I have or can get some."

So what should you do if you find these words on one of your child’s post? "Look into this matter thoroughly," Katie Schumacher, author and founder of the initiative "Don't Press Send," told Parents.com. "And if you feel there is even the slightest chance that your child is engaging in self-harm or struggling with depression, be sure to talk to them in a non-confrontational, non-judgmental way. This is a good time to introduce them into self-reflection and bring in medical professionals to offer proper support and guidance."

Help for Young Adults
If you suspect that a loved one is engaging in self-destructive behaviors, don’t hesitate to call for help. Hope Academy’s credentialed addiction specialists will walk you through the admissions process, from intervention to rehab. To learn more, call: 866-930-4673.