Lastly, it is important to remember that peer support groups are not just for people already in recovery. Nar-Anon meetings for families of drug addicts are held all over the U.S. and internationally. When your family member is addicted to alcohol, opiates, or any drug, you’re likely desperately trying to find a way to help them. Life becomes focused on the addict’s problems and you live with fear. The ongoing drama and multiple problems caused by a loved one’s addiction create chaos in the lives of everybody around them.
- Additionally, research suggests that support groups can help reduce substance use, provide engagement, and improve a person’s confidence in continuing to avoid substance use.
- Research suggests that men and women experience and recover from addiction in very different ways.
- Loosid is a community for people looking to thrive and enjoy fun events and activities while abstaining from alcohol and other substances.
- Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Women For Sobriety, offer safe spaces for those in recovery from alcohol addiction to share their experiences and find support from like-minded peers.
- A support group can be defined as a group of people who share concerns or experiences.
Reviews and studies
These meetings are for those who have relatives and friends with addictions and problem behaviors. In addition to these groups, there are often links to family recovery groups for specific addictions or behaviors on the sites for the programs dedicated to them. While support groups can be important in the recovery process, they are not meant to provide treatment. Instead, their focus https://ecosoberhouse.com/ is on providing peer support, allowing members to share their stories, celebrate each other’s successes, and talk about coping strategies that may help. Overall, gather as much information as you can about a program or provider before making a decision on treatment. If you know someone who has firsthand knowledge of a program, it may help to ask about their personal experience.
Best for a sober lifestyle
LifeRing offers online and in-person meetings that promote self-empowerment rather than belief in a higher power, making it a good alternative to faith-based recovery groups. The group’s motto is “Sober shouldn’t be somber,” struggling with alcohol addiction reflecting the idea that people can still have fun even while not drinking alcohol or using other substances. This is best for people who feel as though their life will be lacking excitement if they are sober.
Professional Associations of Medical and Nonmedical Addiction Specialists
St. Louis, Denver, Sandy, Seattle, Portland, Reno, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The final show was to have taken place Oct. 16 at L.A.’s YouTube Theater, where the tour already touched down for one date earlier this summer. The band played 17 shows before calling it quits, including the fateful, aborted gig Friday at Boston’s Leader Bank Pavilion.
Online-Only Resources
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) aims to support through self-empowerment and motivation with a focus on education and mental health. Online support groups can provide ease and accessibility for people unable to leave their homes or fit a meeting into a hectic schedule. The decision to change your relationship with alcohol can be due to your physical health, mental well-being, or overall lifestyle. No matter the decision, you don’t have to put a stringent label on your situation.
There is no fee to join AA, but members accept donations to help support local groups since they do not accept outside contributions. Free to anyone who wishes to participate, Alcoholics Anonymous is known for its 12-step process and welcoming community. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. You’ll be able to speak with a trained crisis counselor any time of day or night.
Comprehensive Guide to 12 Step Programs and Online Addiction Recovery Meetings
Mutual-Support Groups
- This article discusses the purpose and benefits of a support group and what you can expect.
- You can create a profile that is anonymous, or you can decide to share as much personal information as you’d like.
- Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these support groups.
- SMART meetings are free to attend, but donations are accepted near the end of every meeting.
- Some people may find significant improvement within a 30-day program, while others may require additional time for more comprehensive support and therapy.
- Members are encouraged to attend meetings, maintain regular contact with other alcoholics, and find a sponsor, who helps guide them through the twelve steps.