Searching For Recovery Support Groups - You And Your Alcoholic Are Not Alone In The Search For Help With Alcoholism
Sunday, January 4th, 2009Searching For Recovery Support Groups - You And Your Alcoholic Are Not Alone In The Search For Help With Alcoholism.
I’ve received several e-mails lately from readers of Loving An Alcoholic with a similar theme; the sense of being alone and isolated, of not wanting others to know the toll a family member or loved one’s drinking is having on them.
When I first realized my wife’s drinking had become a problem, I felt the exact same way. I had never experienced the effects alcoholism could have on a family - to say I was naive would be an understatement.
I remember one of my biggest fears was that my neighbors would find out what was happening and not understand.
One of my favorite stories thinking back was a conversation I had with my next door neighbor sometime after my wife had embraced recovery and was actively attending Alcoholics Anonymous.
Photo Credit: Papalars
I was outside washing my car with my daughter as my wife was leaving for a meeting.
My neighbor asked where my wife was going and I replied, “To a meeting”.
Without missing a beat my neighbor replied, “I wonder if your wife goes to the same meetings as my husband.”
I had been so fearful that my neighbors wouldn’t understand, it never dawned on my that someone next door may be going through the same issues, dealing with alcoholism and recovery, as my family.
Through this journey I’ve found that I am not alone.
Thinking about the theme of not being alone in the search for help with alcoholism, I started looking for information on the number of people involved in self-help groups.
Although the article below focuses on those who are involved in self-help or recovery groups for alcoholism and addiction, I think the numbers provide a sense that you are not alone in your search for help coping with the alcoholic or addict in your life - and the alcoholic or addict is not alone in their search for recovery.
New Nationwide Report Reveals that 5 Million People Participate in Self-Help Groups Each Year (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - SAMHSA)
New data indicate that 2.3 million people who participate in self-help groups for alcohol or illicit drug use currently abstain from use of these substances.
Based on a nationwide survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the report offers other data highlighting the use and benefits of these groups. Among the report’s notable findings:
• An annual average of 5 million persons aged 12 or older attended a self-help group in the past year because of their use of alcohol or illicit drugs
• 45.3 percent attended a group because of their alcohol use only and 21.8 percent attended a group because of their illicit drug use only, while 33.0 percent attended a group because of their use of both alcohol and illicit drugs
• 45.1 percent of past year self-help group participants did not use alcohol or illicit drugs in the past month
• Almost one third (32.7 percent) of individuals who attended a self-help group for their substance use during the past year also received specialty treatment for substance abuse in the past year.
Specialty treatment refers to substance abuse treatment received at a hospital as an inpatient, at a rehabilitation facility (either inpatient or outpatient), or at a mental health center.
“This report adds to the substantial body of research indicating that participation in self-help groups can help support people battling substance abuse problems,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. “Self-help groups often are used in conjunction with specialty treatment and to support individuals seeking help or sustaining their recovery.”
Findings for Participation in Self-Help Groups for Alcohol and Illicit Drug Use: 2006 and 2007, are drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), a nationwide survey of 67,500 respondents each year.
This report focused on questions asked of persons aged 12 and older about their participation in a self-help group for substance use (i.e., alcohol use, illicit drug use, or both).
The full report is available on the web at http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k8/selfHelp/selfHelp.cfm. Copies may be obtained free of charge by calling SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727). Request inventory number SMA 08-4333. For related publications and information, visit http://www.samhsa.gov/.
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As I will leave each post; If you, or someone you know, loves an alcoholic or addict, I would encourage you to find a local Al-Anon 12 step meeting to attend. This is your first step towards healing.
