Al-Anon newcomers: benefits of continuing attendance for six months

Abstract

Background Al-Anon Family Groups, a 12-step mutual-help program for people concerned about another person’s drinking, is the most widely used form of help by Concerned Others. Objectives This longitudinal study examined newcomers’ outcomes of attending Al-Anon. Aims were to better understand early gains from Al-Anon to inform efforts in the professional community to facilitate Concerned Others’ attendance of and engagement in Al-Anon. Methods We compared two groups of Al-Anon newcomers who completed surveys at baseline and six months later: those who discontinued attendance by the 6-month follow-up (N=133), and those who were still attending Al-Anon meetings (N=97); baseline characteristics were controlled in these comparisons. Results Newcomers who sustained participation in Al-Anon over the first six months of attendance were more likely than those who discontinued participation during the same period to report gains in a variety of domains, such as learning how to handle problems due to the drinker, and increased well-being and functioning, including reduced verbal or physical abuse victimization. Newcomers to Al-Anon reported more personal gains than drinker-related gains. The most frequent drinker gain was a better relationship with the Concerned Other; attendees were more likely to report this, as well as daily, in-person contact with the drinker. Conclusion Al-Anon participation may facilitate ongoing interaction between Concerned Others and drinkers, and help Concerned Others function and feel better. Thus, short-term participation may be beneficial. Health care professionals should consider providing referrals to Al-Anon and monitoring early attendance.

Codependency in families of alcohol and other drug users: is it in fact a disease?

“…Por outro lado, o modelo de codependência praticado e amplamente difundido pelos grupos de mútua ajuda destinados a acolher familiares de dependentes químicos, como, por exemplo, o Al-Anon, Nar-Anon e o Alateen, tem se mostrado uma ferramenta importante [21][22][23][24] , que promove segurança, estabilidade e esperança às famílias cujos membros são portadores da síndrome de dependência ao álcool. Além disso, tende a fornecer suporte social e eficácia no potencial para mudar o comportamento do bebedor e do uso de drogas [25][26][27][28][29] . Portanto, justifica-se a importância de conduzir uma revisão da literatura na tentativa de verificar qual é o estado da arte tanto do conceito quanto da etiologia e de outros fatores relacionados ao constructo codependência entre familiares de usuários de álcool e outras drogas, sendo este o objetivo deste estudo.…”

Al‐Anon Intensive Referral to facilitate concerned others’ participation in Al‐Anon Family Groups: a randomized controlled trial

“…The present study used a randomized design in which COs of patients newly admitted to residential treatment for AUDs were assigned to usual care (UC) or AIR. AIR procedures were adapted from previous intensive referral procedures to facilitate AA attendance [16][17][18][19] and addressed previously identified barriers to Al-Anon engagement, including lack of initial referral by health-care professionals and misconceptions about Al-Anon [5,14]. AIR consisted of four sessions with an Al-Anon coach.…”

“…The primary outcome was Al-Anon meeting attendance at 3-month follow-up (yes/no). Although studies have not established patterns of Al-Anon meeting attendance that are linked to benefits over time, they have shown that more immediate Al-Anon attendance is helpful even in the short term [14,20]. Further, even when Al-Anon participation is less intensive (e.g.…”

Functioning of Concerned Others When Adults Enter Treatment for an Alcohol Use Disorder

“…The conceptual model also identifies functioning criterion variables including COs’ mental health symptoms. Since its development and applications, the model has been informed by studies of COs to now include criterion variables of COs’ quality of life and problem management (Timko et al., , , ; Trivedi et al., ; Vederhus et al., ). The model incorporates the mutual influence of COs’ functioning and its determinants over time.…”