Mason Delacroix
Alcoholism is a disease that not only affects the alcoholic but also their family and friends. Support groups for alcoholics provide a crucial source of encouragement and guidance and can help them develop healthier habits. One of the most well-known support groups for alcoholics is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which has helped more than two million alcoholics stop drinking. AA is based on the idea of one alcoholic helping another through sharing their experiences. There are also support groups for friends and family members of alcoholics, such as Al-Anon and Alateen, which help them cope with their loved one's drinking behavior. These groups can provide a sense of community and support for individuals affected by alcoholism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) |
| Members | Alcoholics helping each other to stay sober |
| History | Helping alcoholics recover for more than 80 years |
| Meetings | In-person, online, or over the phone |
| Effectiveness | Depends on factors like attendance, engagement, and involvement |
| Benefits | Emotional support, practical coping skills, reduced drinking and cravings |
| Structure | Members choose the format, often guided by a facilitator |
| Size | 5-25 members, with larger groups split into smaller ones |
| Secular Alternative | LifeRing, Secular Organizations for Sobriety |
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What You'll Learn
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
The meetings involve participants sharing their personal histories with drinking and recovery, and encouraging progress along "12 steps" that have a strong spiritual component. AA meetings might be online or in person, and a group facilitator often guides participants through discussions or activities. Members of AA are available to provide meetings or information about AA upon request.
The benefits of peer support groups like AA can go beyond emotional support. Research shows a correlation between participation in support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and reduced drinking and cravings. Members of AA help each other to stay sober, and participating in a group helps ensure that when a person reaches out for help, support is available.
While mutual help groups are an excellent source of support and encouragement, they are usually not run by professional clinicians. It is recommended that people in recovery also maintain a connection with their treatment counsellor, and that peer support is often combined with other interventions, such as psychotherapy.
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Al-Anon for family and friends
Al-Anon is one of the oldest and largest support groups for friends and family of alcoholics. It is a fellowship group designed to help people affected by a loved one's drinking behaviour. The support group is commonly referred to as the Al-Anon Family Group. It is not affiliated with any religious or political groups or other institutions.
Al-Anon was created in 1951 by Anne B. and Lois W., the wife of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It was initially started to consolidate the various family groups of alcoholics at the time. Al-Anon adopted the same 12-step approach as AA, making it relatable to the families and friends of alcoholics.
Al-Anon meetings are focused on helping those affected by a loved one's drinking behaviour. Each meeting is unique, with members choosing the structure and format. All members have experience dealing with a loved one struggling with alcoholism. It is okay to ask questions or discuss your circumstances at an Al-Anon meeting, and your anonymity and privacy are respected.
Al-Anon meetings take place in person, over the phone, and online, making them accessible to almost anyone. Individuals affected by alcoholism, whether related to a parent, sibling, close relative, or friend, are welcome to take part in Al-Anon group meetings. While some members have loved ones currently in treatment, others attend meetings to get advice on how to live with someone who has yet to seek help.
Alateen, another Al-Anon program, specifically helps teens and young adults struggling with a family member or friend's alcohol use disorder (AUD).
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SMART Recovery
The organization emphasizes four key areas in the recovery process: Building Motivation, Coping with Urges, Problem Solving, and Lifestyle. These areas are designed to help individuals develop the tools and skills needed to overcome their addictions and lead a balanced life. The program encourages participants to choose what works best for them from a 'tool box' of methods, which are also available online and in manuals.
A 2018 longitudinal study compared the self-reported success of SMART Recovery with other recovery programs, including Alcoholics Anonymous. The study found that SMART Recovery members who pursued abstinence did as well across factors such as alcohol abstinence and drinking problems as members of AA. This suggests that SMART Recovery can be an effective alternative or supplement to traditional 12-step programs.
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LifeRing
The organization holds meetings in the United States, Canada, Europe, and other countries, including both in-person and online formats. Meetings are typically free to attend, although donations are often encouraged. LifeRing meetings do not include religious elements, such as opening prayers, and members are not encouraged to believe in a Higher Power. Instead, LifeRing emphasizes personal responsibility and encourages participants to develop their own recovery programs based on their unique needs and experiences.
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Women for Sobriety
The WFS program, known as the "New Life" program, is built on 13 affirmations that encourage members to change their self-image and worldview. These affirmations differ from the 12 steps of AA and are designed to be empowering and reflective. They emphasize self-control, rationality, responsibility, self-esteem, and thinking. WFS members are encouraged to avoid labelling themselves as alcoholics or addicts and instead refer to themselves as competent women. The program also promotes health changes such as meditation and exercise, and connection through group participation.
The average WFS member is 46 years old, white, married with 1.8 children, and has been sober for 4.5 years. It typically takes members four years to achieve sobriety after their "turning point", which is an event or state that made them realize they needed to address their drinking. This turning point typically occurs at the age of 39.
WFS can be used alone or combined with other treatment methods. It has been reported to be particularly beneficial for women who feel safer in a women-only group. The group is not anti-AA, and many WFS members also attend AA meetings. However, WFS provides an alternative to the 12-step program of AA, and some members find that it better meets their needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for alcoholics. It is a mutual help group with meetings in most communities and online.
At AA meetings, participants share their personal histories with drinking and recovery, and encourage progress along "12 steps" that have a strong spiritual component.
Research shows a correlation between participation in Alcoholics Anonymous and reduced drinking and cravings. The benefits of peer support groups can go beyond emotional support. You may also discover practical coping skills to help manage urges to drink and stress.
