Individuals with alcohol use disorder and those who use drugs frequently experience unmet information needs. While existing literature has examined formal information-seeking behaviors related to diagnostics, substance-specific facts, and treatment statistics, there remains an insufficient understanding of the day-to-day information needs within these populations. Reddit, a social media platform comprised of topic-specific communities, has emerged as a significant resource for health-related support. Despite substantial research examining substance use discourse on Reddit, limited scholarships have specifically investigated information needs. The present study addresses this gap through qualitative analysis of Reddit content to identify and characterize the daily informational and other support needs of individuals who use substances, as well as the contextual circumstances surrounding these needs.
This study analyzed 189 Reddit posts collected between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019, including only posts that initiated conversation threads. Given that stigma serves as a significant barrier to help-seeking, the sampling strategy ensured representation across different substances and stigma types. Specifically, quota sampling was employed based on substance type (alcohol, cannabis, opioids) and stigma mechanism (internalized, anticipated, enacted) to ensure balanced representation of diverse substance use experiences. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.
The analysis of posts identified four thematic categories: informational needs, emotional support needs, coping/managing strategies, and contextual factors. Informational needs evident in the posts encompassed quitting and coping strategies, barriers to reducing substance use (particularly cravings and relapse), time-sensitive concerns, communication challenges regarding disclosure and navigating social situations, and non-recovery focused information such as harm reduction. Emotional support needs manifested through seeking validation, encouragement, and affirmation, with users celebrating milestones and acknowledging the difficulty of change. Coping and managing behaviors included using the platform for accountability by publicly posting commitments and goals, as well as sharing narratives to process emotions without necessarily seeking feedback. Contextual factors revealed situational challenges including strained interpersonal relationships, experiences of enacted and anticipated stigma from healthcare providers and family members and struggles with low self-worth and self-criticism during recovery.
Takeaway: Individuals with substance use exhibit diverse needs spanning informational resources, emotional support, coping strategies, and contextual factors, necessitating personalized approaches in treatment, education, and prevention programs.