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.

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