Sometimes in our efforts to stay sober, we may end up devoting more time on what we need to avoid than on what will support our recovery goals. For Gen Z women, the support you are seeking may be more accessible than seen in any previous generation. That’s because safe spaces for sobriety are opening up in unexpected places like social media.
Gen Z women looking for daily sobriety support are turning to apps, such as TikTok, where peers host “sober breakfasts” and “sober dinners” as a way to connect with others. These hosts are not experts in the field of addiction. Instead, they are open to sharing their own life journey, struggles with substances, and methods of recovery support through live, interactive conversations. You can ask questions, offer and receive support, and return to these kinds of safe spaces daily. This may be a first step in dipping your toe into the recovery pool, allowing you to become more comfortable seeking help and healing. When ready for treatment, a gender-separate option is available for women in Texas at Hannah’s House.
The Importance of Community in Sober Goals
Many people considering becoming sober quickly discover that finding a community of support or creating one on your own can be invaluable. But, for any number of reasons, help may not come from your friends and family. If this is the case for you, it’s likely your work to get sober and stay sober has been more challenging.
Before the pandemic, getting together in person through meetings was the option most encouraged. While these in-person meetings have not lost their value, they may seem out of reach for some people—especially for those who are not yet ready to admit that they need or want to stay sober. Also, if you’re living in a remote area, you may not have the same resources for meetings where peer support would be offered.
Safe Spaces for Gen Z Women
As a Gen Z woman, you’re a digital native. You grew up in the age of information. Digital technology has created safe spaces for women like you, but you need to know how to find them online and on apps.
Let’s define a “safe space” here. In real life or online, it’s an environment where you’re free from criticism and harassment when sharing your struggles with substance use or mental health issues. You’re not subjected to emotional harm for sharing authentically in this place.
It may seem like social media is not a safe space in general. While the social media landscape is undoubtedly problematic and toxic in some instances, it also provides platforms for women like you to share their stories of addiction and connect with others with similar experiences and sober goals. These safe spaces can help reduce the stigma of addiction and open larger discussions about substance use and recovery.
You may find some of these safe spaces in live conversations on social media platforms, such as TikTok. To keep them safe, moderators will remove people from a live stream when they’re making abusive comments. Hosts may block these individuals as well. The goal is to keep the conversation about substance use and recovery productive.
Sober Connections as Part of a Larger Plan
Sobriety is a full-time commitment. Creating connections with others working on sober goals is only the beginning of sustaining sobriety for yourself long-term. Designing the life you want most is still a fundamental piece of the puzzle.
In creating a larger recovery plan for yourself, here are a few steps for women to consider while finding the right community for you.
Name what you want from recovery. These can be little or big goals.
Identify who is able to help you. Help is a broad term. It covers family members and friends who might be part of your support system. It covers professional resources, such as treatment centers. Help can also come from connections you make in any environment who you feel are assisting you in restoring your health and well-being.
Learn about the benefits of a treatment program designed specifically for your needs. Not all treatment is equal. A program exclusively for women provides a safe space for you while focusing on your unique needs.
Hannah’s House as a Gender-Separate Safe Space
If you are seeking connection in your recovery journey beyond what digital platforms can offer, residential treatment may be a good next step. As a group, young women in the same generation will find they have a lot of similar experiences related to substance use. As a Gen Z woman who grew up in the digital age, you may have experienced bullying from strangers online, been harassed by classmates on your social media pages, or been threatened with secrets being exposed to the world. The emotional turmoil you’ve experienced may be a factor in your substance use or mental health needs. Seeking a gender-separate safe space, like the one at Hannah’s House in Texas, can be the start of addressing drinking or drug use habits, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Hannah’s House is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renowned clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety.
For more information about the stages of alcoholism in women or to learn about our programs, call us today: 561.841.1272.
