Checked by reality, some QAnon supporters seek a way out

https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/checked-by-reality-some-qanon-supporters-seek-a-way-out

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Ceally Smith spent a year down the rabbit hole of QAnon, spending more and more time researching and discussing the conspiracy theory online. Eventually it consumed her, and she wanted out.

She broke up with the boyfriend who recruited her into the movement, took six months off social media, and turned to therapy and yoga.

"I was like: I can't live this way. I'm a single mom, working, going to school and doing the best for my children," said Smith, 32, of Kansas City, Missouri. "I personally didn't have the bandwidth to do this and show up for my children. Even if it was all true, I just couldn't do it anymore."

More than a week after Donald Trump departed the White House, shattering their hopes that he would expose the worldwide cabal, some QAnon adherents have concocted ever more elaborate stories to keep their faith alive. But others like Smith are turning to therapy and online support groups to talk about the damage done when their beliefs collided with reality.

>Yo, anons, there is a 'recovery channel':

Michael Frink is a Mississippi computer engineer who now moderates a QAnon recovery channel on the social media platform Telegram. He said that while mocking the group has never been more popular online, it will only further alienate people.

Frink said he never believed in the QAnon theory but sympathizes with those who did.

"I think after the inauguration a lot of them realized they've been taken for a ride," he said. "These are human beings. If you have a loved one who is in it: make sure they know they are loved."