The Strength of Connection: The Virtual Adaptation of Twelve-Step Programs’ Meetings

Abstract

The global crisis engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic brought about profound changes in various aspects of daily life, one of which pertains to how group therapies and support meetings are conducted. Of particular interest in this paper is the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program, a globally recognized initiative known for its efficacy in helping individuals cope with alcoholism through mutual, peer support in group meetings. The advent of the pandemic, however, challenged this very structure of the program, enforcing a radical transition from in-person meetings to virtual environments, which has posed several hurdles for both organizers and participants. Notably, these changes triggered by restrictive mobility measures have called for innovative adaptations to continue to provide the support needed for recovery and to reduce relapses fuelled by pandemic-induced loneliness and isolation.