Blog

Their compassion, ability to listen, and skills in bridging others to resources save lives. In this course, students will develop an understanding of the value, fundamentals, and practices of peer support skills. Students will also be able to assist in connecting people who are struggling to specialty professional services such as crisis counseling and alcoholism treatment addiction recovery services. Alcoholics Anonymous® (also known as “AA”) and other 12-step programs provide peer support for people quitting or cutting back on their drinking.

• When asked how alcohol problems are treated, people commonly think of 12-step programs or 28-day inpatient treatment centers but may have difficulty naming other options.
• Recovery works through one alcoholic sharing their experience with another.
• These medications are prescribed by a primary care provider or other health care provider and may be used alone or in combination with counseling.
• Moderation Management aims to teach personal responsibility for choosing and maintaining a recovery path, whether that is abstinence or moderation in drinking.
• Al-Anon Family Groups is another Twelve Step program of recovery.

NA and Other Peer Support Groups for Drug Addiction

• Alcohol support groups are places where individuals can receive advice and support for their addiction recovery.
• People can use the app as an online support group, a personal diary, and a source of advice.
• People select specific meetings based on availability, frequency, and whether the programming resonates.

It also covers where to look for different support groups based on your needs. In Al-Anon members have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others support for alcoholics who have faced similar problems. Xenia Ellenbogen (she/they) is a journalist specializing in health, mental health, and wellness. Her writing has appeared in publications such as Everyday Health, Well+Good, Rewire News Group, Prism, and more. Our goal is to offer people a single source of relatable, reliable information at any stage of their recovery journey.

Behavioral Treatments

Alcohol-related problems—which result from drinking too much, too fast, or too often—are among the most significant public health issues in the United States. Although AA states that it is not affiliated with any religious denomination, some of the 12-steps are religious in nature, which may make people of different faiths uncomfortable. However, this support group may not suit certain people, as Recovery Dharma teaches recovery through Buddhist practices.

Overcoming Alcohol Addiction

AA texts include references to “God” and “higher power,” which might not appeal to everyone. Meetings are held worldwide and offered both in person and online. People select specific meetings based on availability, frequency, and whether the programming resonates. Based on their needs, they might also prioritize meetings that are in person, online, or a mix of the two. Most peer support groups are completely free; some ask for donations. Support or “self-help” groups can be a vital part of the recovery process for people who misuse drugs or alcohol.

Featured Programs

For beginners, AA can be a useful introduction to support groups. However, if you attend a few sessions and feel like it’s not for you, there are other peer group options for you to explore. Alcoholics Anonymous or AA is the most widely available self-help group for alcoholics in treatment and recovery. The organization has more than 120,000 groups in roughly 180 countries. If you have a drinking problem, recovery support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can be helpful in staying sober.

Choosing an Alcohol Rehab Treatment Program

The Navigator offers a step-by-step process to finding a highly qualified professional treatment provider. Participants will gain some basic proficiency in motivational interviewing, crisis response planning, and lethal means safety planning. Mental health literacy topics covered include understanding emotional intensity and how to regulate it and suicide/overdose trauma and grief.

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Brief Interventions are short, one-on-one or small-group counseling sessions that are time limited. The counselor provides information about the individual’s drinking pattern and potential risks. After the individual receives personalized feedback, the counselor will help set goals.

Mental Health Training

• However, this support group may not suit certain people, as Recovery Dharma teaches recovery through Buddhist practices.
• However, if you attend a few sessions and feel like it’s not for you, there are other peer group options for you to explore.
• Just like any other medical condition, people with substance use disorders deserve to have a range of treatment options available to them.
• Many support group websites have directories listing local chapters.
• The following is a list of official mutual support group websites and meeting listings.

Moderation Management also has private online communities with volunteer moderators who previously used the groups. Growing mental health concerns exist in the construction industry because it ranks second highest in suicide rates among major industries. Research shows that up to 90% of people who die by suicide have a mental health condition. The following is a list of official mutual support group websites and meeting listings.