Reddit Alcoholism: What to Know About Alcohol Support Communities on Reddit

Reddit alcoholism communities offer peer support, shared experiences, and 24/7 accessibility for people questioning or changing their drinking.

What You'll Discover:

• Major Reddit communities for alcohol support.

• Benefits and limitations of Reddit support.

• How to use Reddit communities effectively.

• When Reddit alone isn't enough.

• Combining Reddit with professional support.

• Getting started on Reddit.

• Other support options to consider.

Reddit has become a significant resource for people dealing with alcohol problems. Communities with hundreds of thousands of members provide anonymous peer support at any hour. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, social support improves recovery outcomes. Reddit offers one form of that support.

Major Reddit Communities for Alcohol Support

The first thing to know is that several active subreddits focus on alcohol problems and recovery.

r/stopdrinking:

• Largest alcohol-focused subreddit with over 900,000 members

• Supportive community for people reducing or eliminating alcohol

• Daily check-in posts where members commit to not drinking today

• Badge system tracking consecutive sober days

• Strict moderation maintaining a supportive environment

• "I will not drink with you today" (IWNDWYT) as community motto

r/alcoholism:

• General discussion about alcohol problems

• Less restrictive than r/stopdrinking

• Various perspectives represented

• Questions about whether drinking is problematic

• Family members of people with alcohol problems welcome

r/dryalcoholics:

• More relaxed moderation

• Harm reduction approach welcome

• Moderation goals accepted

• Discussion of setbacks without judgment

r/alcoholicsanonymous:

• AA-specific discussions

• Meeting experiences

• 12-step program questions

• For those interested in or participating in AA

Other related subreddits:

• r/redditorsinrecovery (broader substance focus)

• r/Sober (general sobriety discussions)

Something to consider is that each community has its own culture and rules. What works in one may not fit another.

Benefits of Reddit Support

Reddit offers several advantages for alcohol support.

Anonymity:

• No real names required

• Can create accounts specifically for recovery discussions

• Nobody in your life needs to know

• Share honestly without fear of recognition

Accessibility:

• Available 24/7, regardless of time zone

• No scheduling or appointments needed

• Access support during difficult moments in real time

• Participate from anywhere with internet

Volume of experiences:

• Thousands of posts and comments

• Nearly any situation has been discussed before

• Search archives for specific topics

• Learn from others' successes and failures

Low barrier:

• Free to use

• No signup required to read

• Can observe before participating

• Easy to try different communities

Diverse perspectives:

• People at every stage from day one to decades sober

• Various approaches represented

• Different backgrounds and situations

• Range of drinking histories and severity levels

For that reason, Reddit has become a significant first stop for many people questioning their drinking.

Limitations of Reddit Support

Reddit also has meaningful limitations.

Not professional guidance:

• Other users are peers, not trained professionals

• Medical advice may be inaccurate or even dangerous

• No accountability for recommendations

• Cannot prescribe medication or design treatment plans

Variable quality:

• Some advice helpful, some not

• Quality depends on who happens to respond

• Moderation varies by subreddit

• Misinformation possible despite good intentions

No personalized treatment:

• General support, not tailored to your specific situation

• Cannot address underlying mental health issues

• No ongoing professional relationship

• Limited help for complex situations requiring expertise

No medication access:

• Cannot provide prescriptions

• Users may not know about medication options like naltrexone

• Some community members skeptical of medication-assisted treatment

• May miss most effective evidence-based options

Potential triggers:

• Detailed drinking stories

• Relapse posts can be discouraging

• Graphic descriptions of consequences

• May not be helpful for everyone at every stage

All that said, understanding these limitations helps you use Reddit appropriately as one part of a broader approach.

How to Use Reddit Effectively

Getting the most from Reddit communities requires intentional engagement.

Getting started:

Engaging productively:

• Be honest about your situation

• Ask specific questions rather than vague ones

• Share what's working and what isn't

• Respond to others (giving back reinforces your own engagement)

• Use the search function to find past discussions on topics

What to post:

• Daily check-ins committing to not drinking today

• Questions about specific challenges you're facing

• Milestone celebrations (any number of days is worth noting)

• Requests for advice on particular situations

• Support requests during difficult moments

What to avoid:

• Medical questions better directed to a doctor

• Providing medical advice to others

• Comparing quantities or competing about severity

• Harsh judgment of others' choices or approaches

If it seems like Reddit communities have strong opinions about the "right" approach, that's because different philosophies exist. Some communities emphasize complete abstinence; others accept harm reduction and moderation. Find communities aligned with your goals.

When Reddit Alone Isn't Enough

Reddit provides valuable peer support but has limits.

Consider additional support if:

• You're experiencing withdrawal symptoms (shakiness, anxiety, sweating)

• Medical supervision may be needed for safety

• You've tried to quit or cut back multiple times without success

• Underlying mental health issues need professional addressing

• You want personalized guidance and accountability

• Medication could help but you don't have access

Signs Reddit isn't sufficient:

• Posting repeatedly about the same struggles without progress

• Not making changes despite community engagement

• Physical health concerns related to drinking

• Needing more than encouragement and shared experience

For more on determining your level of support needs, see our article on understanding alcohol use disorder.

Combining Reddit With Professional Support

The most effective approach often combines peer support with professional treatment.

Reddit + medication: Naltrexone addresses the biological aspects of alcohol cravings while Reddit provides peer support and accountability. The medication is taken as a daily 50mg tablet and works by blocking opioid receptors, reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol. Community provides motivation and shared experience; medication makes the biology easier.

Reddit + coaching: Professional coaching offers personalized guidance and accountability while Reddit provides 24/7 peer support between sessions.

Reddit + therapy: Therapy addresses underlying issues and provides clinical expertise while Reddit offers daily peer connection and shared experience.

How this combination works:

• Medical treatment handles biological factors

• Professional support provides personalized guidance

• Reddit fills gaps between formal appointments

• Multiple touchpoints maintain engagement and accountability

Our article on how naltrexone helps you regain control explains how medication can complement peer support.

Other Online Support Options

Reddit isn't the only online community option.

Alternatives:

• SMART Recovery online meetings (science-based, structured)

• AA online meetings (12-step framework, video format)

• Dedicated recovery apps with community features

• Facebook groups (private options available)

• Discord servers for recovery communities

• Specialized forums outside Reddit

Comparing options:

• Reddit: anonymous, text-based, unstructured peer discussion

• SMART Recovery online: structured meetings, cognitive-behavioral tools

• AA online: 12-step framework, video meetings, sponsorship available

• Apps: often include tracking, coaching, and community features

For more on online options, see our article on online sober community.

Getting Started

Reddit alcoholism communities provide accessible, anonymous peer support. They offer valuable connection and shared experience but work best as one component of a comprehensive approach that may include professional treatment.

If you want to combine peer support with evidence-based medical treatment, take the online Alcohol Use Assessment to see if naltrexone and the Choose Your Horizon program might be right for you.