Social processes explaining the benefits of Al-Anon participation.

Abstract

This study examined social processes of support, goal direction, provision of role models, and involvement in rewarding activities to explain benefits of participating in Al-Anon, a 12-step mutual-help program for people concerned about another person’s substance use. Newcomers to Al-Anon were studied at baseline and 6 months later, when they were identified as having sustained attendance or dropped out. Among newcomers, and among established Al-Anon members (“oldtimers”), we also used number of Al-Anon meetings attended during follow-up to indicate extent of participation. Social processes significantly mediated between newcomers’ attendance status as sustained (versus dropped out) and outcomes of Al-Anon in the domains of life context (e.g., better quality of life, better able to handle problems due to the drinker), improved positive symptoms (more self-esteem, more hopeful), and decreased negative symptoms (e.g., less abuse, less depressed). Social processes also significantly mediated between newcomers’ number of meetings and outcomes. However, among oldtimers, Al-Anon attendance was not associated with outcomes, so the potential mediating role of social processes could not be examined, but social processes were associated with outcomes. Findings add to the growing body of work identifying mechanisms by which 12-step groups are effective, by showing that bonding, goal direction, and access to peers in recovery and rewarding pursuits help to explain associations between sustained Al-Anon participation among newcomers and improvements on key concerns of Al-Anon attendees. Al-Anon is free of charge and widely available, making it a potentially cost-effective public health resource in helping to alleviate negative consequences of concern about another’s addiction.

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.…”

Social Support Strategies in Online Forums Among Adult Offspring of Parents with Harmful Alcohol Use

“…Adult offspring often referred to a lack of communication in their families growing up and the awkward silences that existed surrounding the parent with harmful drinking. Perhaps the online forum is seen more as an outlet for expressing their own voice rather than responding to the needs of others, similar to that of 12-Step groups, where sharing one’s story is an important component of recovery (Timko, Halvorson, Kong, & Moos, 2015). These supportive messages involving identification seem to take the focus off the other person and back to the individual.…”

The Ambiguity of Parenting Adult Children With Substance Use Disorder

“…Multiple studies have shown that despite parents’ desire to assist their child in recovery, they often underestimate or do not understand their role in treatment (Gogel et al, 2011; Groenewald & Bhana, 2016). Various organized peer groups, such as Al-Anon, provide emotional and social support for parents of individuals with SUD through bonding, goal direction, and mentorship (Timko et al, 2015). However, no one story of parenting a loved one in SUD recovery is the same as each familial unit has specific concerns regarding family dynamics, economic considerations, and level of parental involvement.…”