Recovery means something different to everyone it touches. And the ways people are seeking to start, maintain or strengthen their recovery is constantly changing. Recovery.com exists to help everyone navigate this shifting landscape and is focused on helping those seeking recovery get the help that is right for them.
As we head into 2025, culture, technology and healthcare continue to evolve while our mission – to provide valuable, unbiased information about treatment for addiction and mental health – remains the same.
Our proprietary platform data and extensive network are able to provide a unique glimpse into the collective consciousness around recovery: What are people seeking recovery thinking about? What are they looking for that might not yet exist broadly? What misconceptions about recovery still persist?
Search Traffic Trends
Our team looked at search traffic trends on the Recovery.com platform along with Google Trends from 2023 and 2024 to understand how search behavior is changing. Here are the top 5 trends we discovered along with expert commentary to help put them into context.
While providers and individuals experimenting with psychedelics for mental health treatment has been prevalent as far back as the 1950s, it has become more immersed in mainstream health and wellness care in recent years, particularly relating to trauma, PTSD, and depression.
After guest Shawn Ryan discussed ibogaine – a naturally occurring psychoactive compound – in an episode of the massively popular The Joe Rogan Experience, searches for the psychoactive alkaloid skyrocketed. But Ibogaine remains illegal in the US, preventing its use in a therapeutic setting.
Ketamine is a legal psychedelic that also saw massive search interest after a high profile event, in this case the death of actor Matthew Perry. Recovery.com saw a 78% increase in users interested in ketamine therapy in 2024. And unlike Ibogaine, that interest has actually translated to more treatment centers offering ketamine therapy as part of their programs. Today, 197 treatment centers on Recovery.com offer ketamine therapy.
That interest is also spurring additional research into the topic, including a special edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry and reports from behavioral healthcare researchers such as this one from Steve Duke, the founder of The Hemingway Group.
In 2024, depression remained the number one most searched condition on Recovery.com, seeing a growth of 231% users from 2023.
On the positive side, reduced stigma and new models of care are allowing more people to seek care for depression. But it’s hard to find a study that doesn’t report rising incidence rates.
Terry McGuire is Executive Producer at Recovery.com and host of the acclaimed Giving Voice to Depression podcast. She has a unique lens into the experience of depression from her lived experience and the 50 interviews she does each year for her podcast. Terry noted that
Rising depression rates are concerning. They are also definitive proof that those of us who live with it are not as flawed, weak or “other” as our minds may be telling us. There is an opportunity to use this moment to normalize talking about depression and understanding it as a common condition for which there is support and treatment.
The factors contributing to this rise in depression are debated but the most frequently cited reasons include loneliness and social isolation which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, and social media use.
Terry went on to say that the greatest disconnect she sees in talking about depression is generational. “Younger generations get it but their parents don’t…”
Although not new, executive-focused recovery facilities are increasingly adapting their services to accommodate the evolving needs of their clientele. These facilities are evolving to offer more flexible treatment options, such as allowing patients to bring their digital devices with them.
In 2024, Recovery.com reported a 51% increase in users seeking executive options for addiction and mental health treatment.
That trend follows a rise in media attention on the issue of stress and burnout for CEOs and high-net worth individuals. Forbes recently wrote that “in 2023, a record number of CEOs left their positions, with a sobering statistic revealing that 19 CEOs tragically passed away while in office” and “the relentless demands of the C-suite are breeding exhaustion and stress, with 75% of C-suite executives seriously considering quitting their jobs for better well-being support,” according to a Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence survey.
Ruth Limkin is CEO of The Banyans Health and Wellness, a private, luxury rehab for mental health conditions and addiction located in Brisbane, Queensland. She noted that
The stigma around seeking help is slowly lifting in the corporate world, and leaders are recognizing that investing in their mental and physical health is not a sign of weakness, but a prerequisite for success.
We’ve seen a significant increase in executives seeking recovery solutions that go beyond quick fixes, emphasizing sustainable performance and long-term well-being,” Limkin said. “What sets executives apart in their recovery journey is their need for both discretion and a comprehensive approach. They are not just looking to recover; they’re looking to return stronger, with strategies to navigate high-pressure environments without compromising their health or values.
The pressure to work and continue to navigate life while going through treatment continues to grow. As a result patients who may otherwise look for a residential treatment option are increasingly seeking out more flexible care options. On Recovery.com we saw a 112% increase in users searching for intensive outpatient care in 2024.
Forces outside the patient’s control are also increasing the growth of outpatient and virtual care. Insurance companies are moving away from suggesting in-patient treatment because of the high cost. And a shortage of mental health professionals, especially in rural areas, has made in-person care generally harder to access.
The growing trend of prioritizing outpatient treatment due to cost concerns reflects a broader economic reality,” Recovery.com’s Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri said. “Many individuals in recovery face the dual challenge of managing their health and maintaining financial stability. This is not just a clinical issue but a societal one, where the pressures of daily life do not pause for treatment.
New providers are stepping into the fold to offer more flexible and innovative treatment solutions that expand access to care. One such virtual option is Charlie Health. Their virtual treatment programs, including their virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), provide more than once-weekly mental health treatment for teens and adults dealing with serious mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and more.
They accept insurance including Medicaid in many states to enable access to more people.
Their technology forward approach allows them to integrate different approaches such as group therapy, which CEO Carter Barnhart recently told Fast Company was inspired by her experience in residential treatment:
I spent the first 11 years of my career running residential treatment centers. Part of a residential experience is group therapy. That group therapy—I saw how profound it was for individuals. And what I knew was, when we created Charlie Health, we needed to create an experience where people could hear “me too.”
With outpatient care increasing, housing becomes an even more important social determinant for patients. In 2024, Recovery.com saw a 101% increase in users searching for sober living – facilities that offer safe housing and structured, supporting living conditions for people transitioning from residential addiction and mental health programs back into “the real world.”
Sober living facilities are becoming essential sanctuaries, bridging the gap between intensive treatment and everyday life,” Dr. Chaudhery-Malgeri said. “These environments offer clinical benefits and align with financial strategies, proving indispensable in the continuum of care.
To meet that demand, providers and payers are looking to incorporate this into their offerings. According to a December 2024 article in Behavioral Health Business, “sober living is poised to become increasingly common across the [substance use disorder] treatment industry, offering clinical and financial benefits while aligning with payer interests.”
Trey Laird, the Founder and CEO of The Lighthouse Recovery Services noted that
Because the payors are reluctant to pay for residential treatment costs but are willing to pay for PHP and IOP, recovery residences will see significant growth. Some of the facilities will be high quality and thrive. Others will be poor quality and won’t survive.
But challenges persist, including stigma. Trey prefers calling his men’s and women’s houses “recovery residences” as opposed to sober living.
Recovery Residences give clients the opportunity to work on their recovery in “real life” but with extra guardrails and support. Clients in our residences have full freedom of choice and that’s important in early recovery.
Looking Ahead: What Recovery.com Forecasts
Recovery.com gains valuable insights into the current state of recovery by analyzing their proprietary platform data. The Recovery.com team also has a large network of providers, partners, industry leaders, and community members in the recovery ecosystem. These connections and conversations help Recovery.com and its providers proactively address gaps in the recovery world and uniquely positions them to predict future trends.
Nontraditional Recovery Groups
Community and connection are a critical part of any recovery program. While fellowship was traditionally found in church basements and 12-Step meetings, it is increasingly found in places such as CrossFit gyms and Yoga Studios across the country.
Nontraditional recovery groups have burst into mainstream status, building community with interest-oriented gatherings that incorporate activities and hobbies into a recovery support system. We see that trend continuing to grow even more in 2025, led by national organizations like The Phoenix, regional programs like Fit to Recover, hyperlocal special interest groups like the Galano Club, and community programs like Austin Clubhouse.
These organizations are proving to be safe spaces where people can build supportive relationships, find belonging, and engage in activities that promote physical and mental well-being in addition to sobriety.
The Phoenix hosts hundreds of weekly sober events like meditation, group fitness, running, music, hiking, game nights, and other meaningful activities, with the goal of “creating spaces for anyone impacted by substance use to connect, build friendships, find support, and have fun.”
Loneliness is at an all-time high, reflected in a profound number of individuals feeling disconnected,” said The Phoenix Research Team. “Social isolation has fueled a rise in mental health struggles and addiction that undermines wellbeing. With 1 in 3 Americans struggling with substance use or mental health challenges, the need for accessible, community-focused approaches to healing is more important now than ever.
Artificial Intelligence, VR, and Other Emerging Tech
More and more treatment centers and care providers are incorporating artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and other types of technology into their treatment – and it’s more than just a fad. But the key will be finding applications that improve the patient experience and outcomes backed by real data.
For example, Rogers Behavioral Health partnered with AI company Limbic to offer Limbic Access, an AI-powered screening tool for prospective patients. This tool allows users to chat about their concerns and receive screening and next steps. Research from the journal Nature shows Limbic Access increases self-referrals to treatment, especially for marginalized groups.
Responding to our patients’ needs with strategic innovation is key in providing the best possible care for each individual, as well as in making that treatment available to everyone,” says Brian Kay, Rogers’ chief strategy officer. “While artificial intelligence will never replace our providers, it is another tool we are carefully and transparently employing at Rogers to increase accessibility and treatment success. For example, our team members are still heavily involved in the patient intake process, but our website’s new friendly screening assistant is proven to reduce the barrier for those taking the first step in seeking treatment. Additionally, we use AI to assist in documentation, allowing our providers more time to truly connect with our patients — key in our collaborative approach to care.
The Rise of Peer Support
Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States, published in July 2024 by SAMHSA, demonstrated a 15% increase in the utilization of peer support services as a part of substance use treatment when compared to the previous year. This trend of peer support being increasingly utilized is anticipated to remain on a similar trajectory in 2025.
Wes Arnett, Category Manager for Recovery Coaching at Recovery.com, commented:
In 2024, we saw some major milestones that will similarly change the trajectory of peer support services for the year ahead. The first milestone was Medicare officially recognizing peer support services, effectively bringing recovery oriented care to millions of more people. A second milestone was a dedicated Standard Occupational Classification code, with certified peer support specialists around the country rallying support for this designation. Having this is an essential step to provide greater visibility, job opportunities, and equitable wages for peer support workers.
As the recovery landscape evolves throughout 2025, our team will strive to keep supplementing our fast-growing network with even more insights that provide additional context to these changes – whether through our new contributor network, podcasts, social platforms, and our growing number of in-person events and community activations.
