Effects of participation in a large, online community for substance use disorder recovery: A naturalistic, longitudinal study.

Abstract

Objective: In The Rooms (ITR) is a commonly used digital recovery support service, yet little is known about ITR participation or its benefits. Greater knowledge would help inform the field about its potential utility.

Method: U.S. adults in, seeking, or interested in learning more about substance use disorder recovery (N = 250; M_age = 46 years; 63.6% female; 18.4% non-White; 59.6% with substance use disorder; 95.2% in recovery with M duration = 6.5 years, SD = 8.5) were recruited from ITR and assessed at study intake and 3 (n = 217; 86.8%) and 6 months (n = 213; 85.2%) later. Analyses of variance examined whether time spent on ITR (ITR time) or number of activities (ITR activity) differed by recovery duration (<1 year/not in recovery; 1-<5 years; and 5+ years). Generalized estimating equation models examined whether each of ITR time and ITR activities was independently associated with abstinence and quality of life contemporaneously and in time-lagged analyses, controlling for relevant confounders.

Results: Individuals with 5+ years had initially lower ITR time but similar ITR activity. ITR time was independently associated with abstinent days, and, in time-lagged models, more ITR activity was independently associated with greater abstinence for those with <1 year or not yet in recovery. Neither ITR participation measure was associated with quality of life.

Conclusions: ITR may be a promising digital recovery support service that promotes greater abstinence, especially for those in early recovery. Further comparative research is warranted to examine incremental benefits attributable specifically to ITR participation and to investigate for whom, and how, this accessible and widely used service may be helpful. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).