Encouragement and support are vital in the progress of an addict. Not only does an addiction take a toll on the person addicted, it can also place strain upon the family. Here are some common support groups that can offer hope to those in need.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group specifically for those who struggle with drinking problems. AA meetings can be found in almost every city and are open to anyone who wants to deal with a drinking problem. According to Alcoholics Anonymous, they have meetings that are closed and meetings that are open. Open meetings invite people who aren't dealing with addiction to come sit in on a live meeting, such as family members, while closed meetings are only for those who are struggling with addiction. Those in AA meetings progress through the twelve steps, which has shown some successful results for those who have completed the program.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
The Narcotics Anonymous support group stemmed from AA and first began meeting in the 1950s. Unlike AA, according to the Narcotics Anonymous site, NA is for anyone addicted to any type of drug. This could include alcohol, cocaine, meth, and other drugs. NA has also adopted the twelve steps into its program, and they find that addicts working together to support other addicts is very helpful in overcoming addiction.
Al-Anon/Alateen
This type of support group is not for addicts but for the families of addicts. Addiction affects the family members too, and sometimes they need support during this difficult time. According to Al-Anon Family Groups, these meetings provide encouragement to those who live with problem drinkers and have been troubled by someone else's drinking. The group Alateen is specifically for teenagers who may have alcoholic parents. Providing a support group specifically for their age group allows teens to feel understood by others who are dealing with the same struggles. Al-Anon Family Groups says that their meetings allow for participants to share their situation with others or simply just listen. Most people who have attended Al-Anon or Alateen were glad they went and found it to be a positive experience.
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CODA)
The focus of Co-Dependents Anonymous is to develop healthy relationships. CODA says that those who are codependent on a spouse or other family member may have a low self worth, be in denial, or feel the need to be in control. If a member of the family is an addict, often another family member can become codependent. CODA offers tools for recovery that include the twelve steps. The only requirement CODA has for its members is that they have a desire for loving and healthy relationships.
Hope is valuable to have if you are an addict or live with someone who is addicted to drugs. Being able to meet with groups of people who are sharing some of the same struggles makes the process more bearable and less isolated. Joining a support group is a great option for those needing extra encouragement for when times are rough.
Sources
- "Al-Anon Family Groups." Al-Anon.Alateen.org. N.p., 2011. Web. 31 Jul 2011.
- "Alcoholics Anonymous." AlcoholicsAnonymous.com. N.p., 2011. Web. 31 Jul 2011.
- "Co-Dependents Anonymous." CODA.org. Co-Dependents Anonymous, Inc. , 2011. Web. 31 Jul 2011
- "Narcotics Anonymous." NA.org. NA World Services, 2011. Web. 31 Jul 2011
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