TY  - JOUR
AU  - Peart, Annette
AU  - Horn, Freya
AU  - Petukhova, Rachel
AU  - Barnett, Anthony
AU  - Lubman, Dan I
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/6/17
TI  - Web-Based Forums for People Experiencing Substance Use or Gambling Disorders: Scoping Review
JO  - JMIR Ment Health
SP  - e49010
VL  - 11
KW  - web-based forums
KW  - peer support
KW  - substance use
KW  - gambling
KW  - scoping
KW  - review method
KW  - review methodology
KW  - forum
KW  - forums
KW  - substance abuse
KW  - addiction
KW  - addictive
KW  - addictions
KW  - peer-based
AB  - Background: For people experiencing substance use or gambling disorders, web-based peer-supported forums are a space where they can share their experiences, gather around a collective goal, and find mutual support. Web-based peer support can help to overcome barriers to attending face-to-face meetings by enabling people experiencing addiction to seek support beyond their physical location and with the benefit of anonymity if desired. Understanding who participates in web-based peer-supported forums (and how), and the principles underpinning forums, can also assist those interested in designing or implementing similar platforms. Objective: This study aims to review the literature on how people experiencing substance use or gambling disorders, and their family, friends, and supporters, use and participate in web-based peer-supported forums. Specifically, we asked the following research questions: (1) What are the characteristics of people who use web-based peer-supported substance use or gambling-focused forums? (2) How do people participate in web-based peer-supported forums? (3) What are the key principles reportedly underpinning the web-based peer-supported forums? (4) What are the reported outcomes of web-based peer-supported forums? Methods: Inclusion criteria for our scoping review were peer-reviewed primary studies reporting on web-based addiction forums for adults and available in English. A primary search of 10 databases occurred in June 2021, with 2 subsequent citation searches of included studies in September 2022 and February 2024. Results: Of the 14 included studies, the majority of web-based peer-supported forums reported were aimed specifically for, or largely used by, people experiencing alcohol problems. Results from the 9 studies that did report demographic data suggest forum users were typically women, aged between 40 years and early 50 years. Participation in web-based peer-supported forums was reported quantitatively and qualitatively. The forums reportedly were underpinned by a range of key principles, mostly mutual help approaches and recovery identity formation. Only 3 included studies reported on outcomes for forum users. Conclusions: Web-based peer-supported forums are used by people experiencing addiction in a number of ways, to share information and experiences, and give and receive support. Seeking web-based support offers an alternative approach to traditional face-to-face support options, and may reduce some barriers to engaging in peer support. 
SN  - 2368-7959
UR  - https://mental.jmir.org/2024/1/e49010
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/49010
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38885012
DO  - 10.2196/49010
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/49010
ER  -