Seeking Help is an opt-in category for a variety of topics that may be triggering on the main forum.
Moving forward, Seeking Help is not only for those posting under the influence (which can trigger someone in substance use recovery). Seeking Help is also an appropriate category for discussing harm reduction, tapering, mental health crises, suicidal ideation and other issues that may not be appropriate on the main forum.
We have observed that continuing the discussion can often help members gain perspective/new viewpoints, as well as moving from sober curious to abstinence. This doesn’t mean we would be advocating for moderating drinking or THC use, etc, it means we would be hopeful that a more nuanced discussion could be had in Seeking Help versus shutting down/silencing the conversation.
Over the years we have seen posts from members who are experiencing a mental health crisis, sometimes including suicidal ideation, which may or may not stem from their recovery from substance use/addiction. Because such posts are often quite literally members seeking help, we have decided to include these types of posts in the Seeking Help category. We are peers supporting each other on Talking Sober, we are not necessarily trained mental health professionals. This is a sobriety focused site, but we understand there is an intersection between mental health and substance use/addiction recovery. We wish to provide a space for people to be heard and supported.
Seeking Help is an opt-in group. If you join the group, you will get access to this category where you are allowed to post while under the influence or in crisis. Though we discourage posting while under the influence, we do understand it happens. You will also see posts from other members who may be under the influence, as well as discussions you may find disturbing or disagree with - be aware and keep yourself safe.
Our hope is that an expansion of the Seeking Help category will allow for a space to help more members feel supported in their journey toward recovery and healing. Therefore, you may notice more threads being moved to Seeking Help and more discussions being kept open. Please be aware that we always notify the original poster when moving a thread to Seeking Help.
Go to Seeking Help for support / assistance when needed. Don’t go there trying to bash sobriety or other members. All other forum rules and guidelines still apply.
Here’s the link to opt into the Seeking Help category:
http://talkingsober.com/groups/Seeking_Help
After you join the group, you’ll see a new category in the category drop-down. Here’s the link to it:
http://talkingsober.com/c/seeking-help
Just as Seeking Help is an opt-in, you can also opt-out if you prefer. Also, muting threads can be helpful. Please let a moderator know via PM to @moderators if you require assistance with this.