Reddit Communities Blossoming into Essential Support for AI Addiction Recovery in 2025

Feeling stuck in long chatbot sessions and empty afterward? You are not the only one. Over the past year, people trying to cut back on AI chatbots have set up peer support groups on Reddit. This post explains what they are, what they offer, and where they stop.

Subreddits such as r/AI_Addiction, r/ChatbotAddiction and r/Character_AI_Recovery are where people talk about quitting or reducing chatbot use. 404 Media reported in June 2025 that r/Character_AI_Recovery had more than 800 members and was started by an 18-year-old who was also struggling with the habit. The outlet describes these groups as “self-led”, and says some members turned to them after feeling their therapists didn’t take the problem seriously. Member counts change, and they don’t tell us how common chatbot dependence is.

Why Reddit? Anonymity is the draw. You can read without posting, share without giving your name, and get replies at any hour. For people who feel embarrassed explaining the habit, “me too” can matter.

What people say they use the groups for:

• Daily check-ins and streak counting
• Swapping tactics, such as blocking apps or replacing chat time with a hobby
• Talking about what drove the habit, such as loneliness, social anxiety or wanting to escape
• Support after a relapse

Researchers have looked at this material. A study accepted at CHI 2026 analyzed 318 Reddit posts from users who said they were 13 to 17. The authors describe attachments with features of behavioral addiction, including withdrawal and relapse, along with lost sleep, falling grades and strained relationships. It is a study of posts, so it can’t say how many teens are affected.

What these groups are not

They are not treatment. Members are other people, not clinicians, and nobody checks the advice. Some posts will help and some won’t. A few things to keep in mind:

• Don’t share your full name, school, workplace or location.
• Be cautious with advice about medication, diagnoses or going “cold turkey” from someone who isn’t a professional.
• If you notice you are leaning on the group the way you leaned on the bot, that is worth noticing.
• Adults only on this site. If you’re under 18, talk to a parent or another adult you trust as well.

Start by reading. Post when you’re ready. Pair it with offline steps: a walk, a hobby, a conversation with someone who knows you.

If low mood, anxiety or loneliness sits behind your use, a licensed counselor can help. Our page on finding counseling explains where to look. The AACAP guide to AI chatbots says to talk to a doctor if you can’t moderate use.

Want a clearer picture first? Try the free assessment. It is a self-reflection tool, not a diagnosis.

In crisis? Call or text 988, or text HOME to 741741 (Crisis Text Line).