The Power of Group Support For Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a disease that requires a treatment program. That program should include both individual counseling and group support. These two are important ingredients to the recovery and ongoing management of the disease. The individual help is a given and most will agree with it’s importance. The group support system is a powerful aid to staying sober and tool to meeting your maintenance goals.
Group Support Provides:
Support groups are a safety net that exposes those who need help with caring professional who have a compassion for those suffering from this disease
An environment to share experiences with others who are going through the same disease.
There is a common trust factor where you can feel safe in expressing your thoughts, feelings and fears.
You may feel comfortable about sharing something about your addiction that you may have previously kept hidden from others. In the group, the comfort level allows for these types of revelations. In revealing these situations, additional help can be realized.
There is a moral victory gained from being in the company of peer who really do understand.
Professional group settings can foster opportunities to investigate and resolve possible family conflicts and alcoholic issues.
Source of information
Some support groups offer in addition to help for the alcoholic, support for their families as well. These family support groups offer educational aids so that they can understand the disease and what it does to the one who has it. Relationships run smoother when understanding can be achieved about why people behave the way they do.
How To Find Support Groups:
1. Your physician or treatment center is one good source for finding support groups.
2. Recommendations from others you know who have gone through treatment.
3. Local phone books, community centers, or churches often have lists of local support groups.
4. Organizations have links on their Website to local groups.
Listing of some Support Groups:
Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)
This is a popular National group with local groups. They have well-known 12 step program for men and women who share their experiences, strengths and encourage each other to remain strong and to continue to resolve their common problems associated with alcoholism. There are no dues or fees for AA membership
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org
Recovery Connection offers look up services for meetings in most areas around the United States. You can call them if you have a drug or alcohol problem and are seeking a local group to join 1-800-993-3869.
Al-Anon and Alateen (for teens) has been in existance for over 50 years.
There are no dues or fees.
http://www.al-anon-alateen.org
Managing your disease should not be a lonely journey. Gathering as many support networks as possible will be beneficial to the goal of staying sober. As the saying goes: No man is an island. We all need human contact, understanding and compassion as we go through our life experiences. When a chronic disease is part of that life, it can be uplifting to know that you are not alone.
Recommended Reading
- Join a Co-Dependency Group When You Live With an Alcoholic
- Treating All Three Issues Involved In Alcoholism
- Join Al-Anon When You Live With an Alcoholic
- The truth about Alcoholism
