Addiction support groups can be essential sources of information, guidance, and inspiration for individuals who are recovering from substance use disorders, as well as for those whose loved ones have become dependent on alcohol or other drugs.
What Are Addiction Support Groups?
Addiction support groups are organized gatherings of individuals who are working to maintain their abstinence from alcohol and other substances.
Also sometimes referred to as recovery support groups, they are often – but by no means always – peer-led. This means that the people who set up and run the meetings are usually also participants who are in recovery themselves.
The policies and procedures of addiction support groups can vary from one organization to another. The one common thread among all groups is that they are designed to support people whose lives have been disrupted by addiction.
Addiction Support Groups in Atlanta
Many addiction support groups in the Atlanta area host meetings every day, with most offering in-person and online options. Here are five options:
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Established in the mid-1930s, AA is perhaps the most widely known addiction support group. From a meeting between two alcoholics in Akron, Ohio, AA has grown into an international organization with an estimated membership of about two million people.
AA is the original 12-Step support group, as the steps were created by Bob Wilson, one of the group’s co-founders.
The Metro Atlanta chapter of AA has an online meeting finder with information about in-person and virtual gatherings in the area.
SMART Recovery
Self-Management and Recovery Training, which is better known as SMART Recovery, employs the principles of evidence-based methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and rational emotive therapy (REMT) to help participants better manage their emotions and behaviors.
Like AA, SMART Recovery also has an online meeting finder with details about both in-person and online get-togethers.
Moderation Management
Moderation Management describes itself as “a nonprofit that provides a non-judgmental, compassionate peer-support community for anyone who wants to change their relationship with alcohol.”
Founded by Audrey Kishline in the mid-1990s, MM differs from many other addiction support groups by not promoting an abstinence-only approach. Instead, participants are encouraged to establish their own goals, which may range from complete cessation of drinking to limited alcohol intake.
MM also has a searchable events calendar featuring multiple daily meetings, most of which are online.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Narcotics Anonymous began in the 1950s as an effort to bring an AA-like level of support to individuals who were addicted to substances other than alcohol.
Though AA and NA are separate organizations that share no legal affiliation, NA follows many of the principles that were developed for AA, including an adapted version of the 12 Steps.
NA offers both in-person and virtual meetings.
Al-Anon/Alateen
Al-Anon Family Groups (which includes Alateen) is “a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.” It originated with small meetings led by Lois Wilson, the wife of AA founder Bill Wilson.
As with AA, Al-Anon Family Groups has grown into an global effort, with more than 25,000 groups in 118 nations. Meetings are conducted in person, via online videoconferencing software, and by telephone.
Benefits of Addiction Support Groups
Addiction support groups have existed for almost a century, and millions of people have attended meetings. What makes these groups so valuable to their participants?
Here are a just a few of the many potential benefits of joining an addiction support group:
- Community – Addiction can be isolating. Depending on your unique circumstances, you may have lost the support of loved ones due to your behaviors when you were in active addiction. Or you may feel like no one else understands what it’s like to live with someone who struggles with compulsive substance use. Support groups can break through that isolation and remind you that you are not alone.
- Acceptance – Shame and guilt can also isolate people who have struggled with addiction. Even if you’re making progress, you may be hesitant to discuss your successes and setbacks with friends or colleagues. Support groups can help you process and ultimately overcome these feelings, so you no longer feel the need to hide parts of yourself from others.
- Accountability – When you’re trying to make a beneficial change such as adopting a healthier diet plan or exercising more often, you’re more likely to maintain the effort if someone else is doing it with you. The same goes for protecting your sobriety. Whether you have an individual recovery partner or a regular group that you meet with (or both), knowing that you’re accountable to someone else can be a tremendous motivator.
- Shared expertise – When you join an addiction support group, you will likely encounter insights and perspectives that you hadn’t previously considered. This gives you the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others and benefit from their guidance. Access to such a wide range of shared knowledge can help you avoid mistakes that others have made and learn how to overcome challenges that others have previously surmounted.
- Mutual support – It’s no secret that addiction support groups offer support (seriously, the word is right there in the name). At first, you may benefit solely from the support you receive. But as you grow in your recovery and become more comfortable within the group, you may also discover the value of offering support to others. It is difficult to overstate the power of mutual support within the global recovery community.
Learn More About Addiction Treatment in Georgia
There’s no question that addiction support groups can play a vital role in the recovery process. But peer support alone may not be enough. If you thank you may need professional care to help you end your use of alcohol or another addictive drug, Valor Behavioral Health is here for you.
Treatment options at our outpatient rehab in Atlanta, GA, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), a virtual IOP, and an adolescent program. At each level, you can expect to receive personalized services and comprehensive support from compassionate experts who are truly invested in your success.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
