Benefits and Costs of Alcoholic Relationships and Recovery Through Al-Anon

Young, Lance Brendan; Timko, Christine

doi:10.3109/10826084.2014.957773

Cited by 17 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…Outros críticos argumentam que o modo como este fenômeno vem sendo conceituado e, sobretudo, utilizado pelos conselheiros em dependência química e grupos de mútua ajuda tende a colocar um holofote sobre a questão, de forma a patologizar um comportamento interpessoal ou de "medicalizar" um comportamento dito "desviante", principalmente de mulheres (esposas de dependentes de álcool), diminuindo a identidade feminina e reforçando uma cultura sexista e de vitimização, o que, em geral, tende a aumentar a estigmatização da condição, sobretudo das mulheres esposas de usuários de álcool e outras drogas 19,20 . 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] .…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

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

Diehl

Silva²,

Bosso³

2017

Revista Debates Em Psiquiatria

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ResumoO conceito de codependência, embora muito popular no meio clínico do campo das dependências químicas, segue sendo considerado um constructo muito criticado e controverso no meio científico. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar o estado da arte sobre o constructo de codependência de familiares de usuários de álcool e outras drogas quanto à etiologia e outros possíveis fatores relacionados. Tratase de uma revisão da literatura através da busca de artigos indexados em bases de dados, publicados nos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol, utilizando-se os descritores codependência, transtornos relacionados ao uso de substâncias e família. Foram incluídos 16 artigos nesta revisão, os quais retratam que o conceito de codependência segue teorizado e pouco explorado de forma empírica. Tentativas de escalas de rastreio foram realizadas sem replicações de estudos de campo. De uma forma geral, aqueles que se autoidentificam como pessoas codependentes, uma vez que recebem suporte, relatam alguns benefícios positivos. O termo, mais do que um conceito psicológico de fato validado, parece representar um movimento social que deu empoderamento aos membros das famílias de usuários de álcool e outras drogas. Mais estudos de campo sobre a validação conceitual da codependência e os fatores a ela relacionados devem ser conduzidos, a fim de corroborar sua real utilidade clínica e ampliação de evidência da existência desse fenômeno. Palavras-chave:Codependência, transtornos relacionados ao uso de substâncias, família. AbstractThe concept of codependency is very popular in the clinical setting in the field of addiction but continues to be a highly criticized and controversial construct in the scientific literature. The objective of this paper was to evaluate state-of-the-art information on the construct of codependency of family members of users of alcohol and other drugs with regard to etiology and other possible related factors. In this literature review, databases were searched for indexed articles published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, using the keywords codependency, substance-related disorders, and family. A total of 16 articles were included in the review; according to these articles, the concept of codependency continues to be essentially theoretical and little explored empirically. Attempts have been made to use screening scales, but replication in field studies are lacking. Overall, individuals who self-identify as codependent report positive benefits -probably because they receive support. The term codependency, more than a validated psychological concept, seems to represent a social movement that has empowered family members of users of alcohol and other drugs. More field studies are necessary to achieve the conceptual validation of codependency, as well as to investigate factors related to it. Only then will the real clinical usefulness of this phenomenon be confirmed, and the body of evidence of its existence expanded.

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Section: Introductionunclassified

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

Diehl

Silva²,

Bosso³

2017

Revista Debates Em Psiquiatria

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“…Thus, an important, unmeasured element of social support for reduced alcohol/drug use or abstinence may be those things that others actively do to help people manage risk for relapse, such as providing social support and mutual aid within the context of AA meetings and sponsorship. This may not be captured by a tally of who is in the network and the ideas to which these individuals may ascribe, particularly if network members have chosen to limit the nature or extent of their relationship to the problem drinker to minimize personal costs (Young & Timko, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Independent and Interactive Effects of Neighborhood Disadvantage and Social Network Characteristics on Problem Drinking After Treatment

Mericle

Kaskutas

Polcin

et al. 2018

Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology

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Socioecological approaches to public health problems like addiction emphasize the importance of person-environment interactions. Neighborhood and social network characteristics may influence the likelihood of relapse among individuals in recovery, but these factors have been understudied, particularly with respect to conceptualizing social network characteristics as moderators of neighborhood disadvantage. Drawing from a larger prospective study of individuals recruited from outpatient treatment (N=451) and interviewed 1, 3, 5, and 7 years later, the aim of this study was to examine the independent and interactive effects of neighborhood and social network characteristics on continued problem drinking after treatment. Models using generalized estimating equations controlling for demographic and other risk factors found the number of heavy drinkers in one's network increases risk of relapse, with the effects being significantly stronger among those living in disadvantaged neighborhoods than among those in non-disadvantaged neighborhoods. No independent effects were found for neighborhood disadvantage or for the number of network members supporting reduced drinking. Future research is needed to examine potential protective factors in neighborhoods which may offset socioeconomic disadvantage as well as to investigate the functions that network members serve in helping to improve long-term treatment outcomes.

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“…Nevertheless, helping may sometimes harm the intended recipients. “Over-helping” by a Concerned Other may involve trying to control the drinker to one’s own detriment, which is closely tied to the concept of codependency addressed within Al-Anon (19, 26). Research examining benefits of helping should clearly differentiate Concerned Others’ possible codependence, involving unhealthy self-sacrifice, needs for external validation, and reactivity toward recipients (27), from a Concerned Other’s assistance of others sharing the same predicament of involvement with a drinker.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More contact with the drinker may reflect the Concerned Other’s hope for improvement in the behavior of those drinkers who initiated residential or outpatient treatment. It is also possible, as Young and Timko (26) suggested, that continuing relationships with drinkers may benefit Concerned Others by preserving their self-identity, social identity, values, security, stability, and hope (28). Research is needed to identify factors that influence Concerned Others’ decisions to sustain or end their relationship with the drinker and the role, if any, that Al-Anon attendance plays in these decisions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Timko

Laudet

Moos

2016

The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

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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.

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Benefits and Costs of Alcoholic Relationships and Recovery Through Al-Anon

Cited by 17 publications

References 87 publications

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

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

Independent and Interactive Effects of Neighborhood Disadvantage and Social Network Characteristics on Problem Drinking After Treatment

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

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