Community Guidelines

Welcome to Peerakeet

Peerakeet is a peer support community for individuals navigating addiction, substance use, and recovery. Our goal is to create a safe, supportive, and anonymous space where people can connect, share experiences, and support each other on their recovery journeys.

Our Core Values

Support Over Judgment

Everyone's recovery journey is unique and valid
Offer encouragement and understanding, not criticism
Respect different approaches to recovery and harm reduction

Privacy and Anonymity

Use pseudonyms (generated from random adjectives and bird names)
Never share personal identifying information
Protect the privacy of other community members

Safety First

Prioritize your own safety and the safety of others
Know when to seek professional help
Use emergency resources when needed

Growth and Learning

Share experiences to help others learn
Be open to different perspectives
Support each other's progress, no matter how small

What We Encourage

Positive Behaviors

Share Your Story: Open up about your experiences in a way that helps others
Listen Actively: Give others space to share without interruption
Offer Support: Provide encouragement and understanding
Ask Questions: Seek clarification when you need it
Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge progress, no matter the size
Be Patient: Recovery is a process, not a destination
Respect Boundaries: Honor when someone needs space or time

Communication Guidelines

Use respectful and supportive language
Ask before offering advice
Share from your own experience ("I found that..." rather than "You should...")
Be mindful of triggering content and use appropriate warnings
Keep conversations focused on recovery and support

What We Don't Allow

Prohibited Behaviors

Privacy Violations

Sharing real names, addresses, phone numbers, or social media handles
Attempting to identify or track other users outside the app
Taking screenshots or recording conversations
Sharing personal information about other users

Harmful Content

Promoting dangerous or illegal activities
Sharing explicit, sexual, or inappropriate content
Providing medical advice or professional counseling
Encouraging relapse or harmful behaviors
Sharing graphic descriptions of substance use

Harassment and Abuse

Bullying, intimidation, or harassment
Targeting users based on their recovery stage or choices
Making threats or using violent language
Stalking or obsessive behavior toward other users

Misuse of Platform

Using the app for dating or romantic relationships
Commercial advertising or promotion
Spam or repetitive messaging
Impersonating others or creating fake accounts
Attempting to hack or disrupt the app

Inappropriate Matching

Lying about your recovery stage or topics for matching
Using the platform to find romantic partners
Matching with the intention to harm or exploit others

Recovery Stage Guidelines

Actively Using

Be honest about your current situation
Focus on harm reduction and safety
Don't pressure others to use or relapse
Seek professional help when ready

Thinking About Quitting

Share your thoughts and concerns
Ask questions about others' experiences
Don't feel pressured to make immediate changes
Consider professional support options

Recently Quit

Celebrate your decision to change
Share challenges and victories
Ask for support when you need it
Be patient with yourself and others

In Recovery

Share what's working for you
Offer hope and encouragement
Be honest about ongoing challenges
Support others in earlier stages

Long-Term Recovery

Share wisdom and experience
Offer guidance when asked
Remember what early recovery felt like
Continue your own growth and learning

Safety and Crisis Resources

Emergency Situations

If you or someone else is in immediate danger:

Call 911 for medical emergencies
Call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Text HOME to 741741 for Crisis Text Line

When to Seek Professional Help

Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Severe withdrawal symptoms
Mental health crises
Medical emergencies
Legal issues related to substance use

Support Resources

SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP
Local treatment centers and support groups
Mental health professionals
Primary care physicians

Reporting and Moderation

How to Report Issues

Use the in-app support feature to report concerns
Provide specific details about the incident
Include relevant conversation context
Report immediately for safety issues

What We Investigate

Privacy violations
Harassment or abuse
Harmful content
Platform misuse
Safety concerns

Moderation Actions

Warning messages
Temporary account suspension
Permanent account termination
Legal action for serious violations

Building a Supportive Community

Peer Support Best Practices

Listen First: Give others space to share
Validate Feelings: Acknowledge emotions without judgment
Share Experience: Offer your story when relevant
Ask Permission: Check before giving advice
Respect Choices: Honor different recovery paths
Encourage Professional Help: Suggest when appropriate

Creating Safe Spaces

Use appropriate language and tone
Be mindful of triggering content
Offer support without pressure
Respect when someone needs space
Celebrate all forms of progress

Getting the Most from Peerakeet

Profile Tips

Be honest about your recovery stage
Select topics that reflect your current situation
Choose intentions that match your goals
Update your profile as your journey evolves

Matching Success

Be patient with the matching process
Give conversations time to develop
Don't feel pressured to match with everyone
Report inappropriate behavior immediately

Journal and Check-ins

Use daily check-ins to track your mood
Write journal entries to process your thoughts
Reflect on your progress regularly
Use these tools to support your recovery

Remember

Peerakeet is here to support your recovery journey, whatever that looks like for you. You are not alone, and your experiences matter. Together, we can create a community of understanding, support, and hope.

Stay safe, stay supported, and keep moving forward. You've got this!

For questions about these guidelines or to report concerns, please use the in-app support feature.