HOW to FIND a RECOVERY GROUP: MUTUAL HELP IS MORE THAN SELF-HELP William Doverspike, Ph.D
HOW TO FIND A RECOVERY GROUP: MUTUAL HELP IS MORE THAN SELF-HELP William Doverspike, Ph.D. Drdoverspike.com 770-913-0506 One of the most common statements heard in alcohol problems. A promising strategy mutual-support recovery groups is the involves assigning a person to alternative following: “I don’t need a self-help group. If I treatments based on specific needs and could have done it alone, I wouldn’t have characteristics of the individual. needed you.” Traditional Recovery Groups Beginning with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), In addition to AA, there are also recovery which celebrated its 80th International groups for families and friends of alcoholics Convention of 70,000 sober alcoholics who met (Al-Anon) as well as children of alcoholics at the World Congress Center in Atlanta in July (Alateen). Mutual help recovery groups are also 2015, there are approximately 400 variations of available for those who suffer from narcotics 12 Step programs that have emerged. Two addiction to (Narcotics Anonymous), as well as decades ago, a monumental survey published in families and friends those affected by such Consumer Reports (1995) revealed that AA addiction (Nar-Anon). scored significantly better (251) than mental health professionals such as psychiatrists (226), In the metro Atlanta area, there are hundreds of social workers (225), psychologists (220), weekly AA and Al-Anon meetings. Many of family physicians (213) and marriage these meetings are held in churches and counselors (208). Although this survey was not synagogues, although AA and Al-Anon is not a scientific study, the readers of Consumer affiliated with any sect, religion, sect, Reports highlighted the popularity of mutual denomination, political entity, organization, or help recovery groups.
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