Navigating Apps and Social Media
Part of our Real Chemistry series – connection, wellbeing and chemsex recovery.
This page introduces information about using apps and social media. Many men we support tell us that their chems use is linked to their use of apps to meet partners, and that they are dissatisfied with the relationships they have through apps. After you have read through the information there are some exercises for you to work through, thinking about your use of apps and social media, and whether and how it has a role in your recovery. You may find it helpful to have a notebook to use as you work through the exercises, or you could use the function on a phone or tablet.
The Positives Aspects of Engaging with Apps & Social Media
Engaging in Apps use and all of the various types of Social media available to us can decrease any feelings of loneliness and isolation we may experience, and support us in feeling connected to others in a virtual sense.
This feeling of connection is not only limited to our local areas (which some Apps give us access to) but can also make us feel part of a more global community where we are able to both share parts of our lives to others, and experience the day to day gripes & joys of those we are connect with.
The Negative Aspects of Engaging with Apps & Social Media
Hostility, Rejection, and Trolls, Oh My!
Unfortunately App & Social media use, also has a darker aspect to it, whereby some experiences can impact on our self-esteem and how we feel about ourselves, and our general wellbeing and mental health.
In terms of chemsex, apps & social media platforms generally go hand in hand with chem experiences since they can provide a virtual ‘doorway’ to access the chemsex scene, to look for, and hook up with others for chemsex experiences,
FACT: They also provide opportunities to purchase chems as well.
Why not check out our Apps & Safety web page for information detailing how to keep yourself safe online.
Exercises
- Think about your previous use of apps and social media:
What is your experience of apps and social media?
How did this impact your life?
Did your engagement make you feel connected to others? Or did this make you feel isolated?
How did using apps and social media impact on your wellbeing and self-esteem?
- Think about how you might use apps and social media in the future:
Is there still a place in your life for apps & social media?
If not, then why not?
If yes, then what do you hope to gain from engagement?
How might you approach different apps and social media sites differently?
- What changes would you like to make about your use of apps and social media? You can use the exercises in Theme 1 – Understanding Change to help you plan to make these changes. You can think about these things:
One change I would like to make in the future is…
By making this change it may mean that…
The support I may need to help me make this change is…
