Support Groups

What is a Self-Help Group?

Self-help groups are informal groups of people who come together to address their common problems. While self-help might imply a focus on the individual, one important characteristic of self-help groups is the idea of mutual support – people helping each other. These groups offer emotional support and practical help with an experience, challenge, or concern that is common to all members. Joining a self-help group can help you understand that you are not alone; there are others who have gone before you that have realized healthy ways to handle the emotional stress addiction can cause.

Most self-help groups are voluntary, non-profit associations open to anyone with a similar need or interest. Usually, groups are led by peers, have an informal structure, and are free, except for small donations to cover meeting expenses.

Self-help groups can occur in a wide variety of forms, from two individuals sharing coffee and coping strategies, to small groups gathering in community meeting rooms. No matter the setting or number of people in a group, each person is encouraged to be open and honest to promote positive group experiences.

Self-help groups allow people to feed their natural tendency to seek acceptance, comfort, and understanding in a safe setting. People come together to openly share common experiences and challenges, while offering mutual support.

Self-help support groups are inherently participatory and provide members with the opportunity to get help, give help, and help themselves through the sharing of knowledge and experience.

Self-help groups that are specifically for mental health are made up of peers with similar mental or emotional issues. Since these groups are typically peer-led and informal, mental health professionals consider them an adjunct to formal therapy. Also known as mutual help groups, the goal of these groups is to assist one another in coping with and, if possible, recovering from their mental and emotional challenges.

How to Choose a Group?

The support group you choose will most likely be based upon the common issue for which you are seeking support and guidance. The first step to choosing a support group is to attend a meeting. Try to be open-minded and give the group a chance. You may have to attend more than one time in order to get a true feel for whether the group is for you or not. Here are some guidelines for what the group should offer:

The group welcomes newcomers and makes you feel comfortable
Discussion focuses on solutions, rather than emphasizing the problem, allowing members to get a glimpse of the positive elements of their situation.
The group offers support and comfort.
Members express their emotions in an intimate and friendly atmosphere.
Members learn to understand their emotions and find constructive ways of treating these emotions.
Attendance strengthens the support and comfort received from friends, parents and professionals.
Provide members with resources and information that might be useful to them.

There are various types of self-help groups range from regular, informal meetings of two or three individuals to large, organized groups with a national presence. Some of the most common self-help group models include:

Twelve Step Groups – Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded in 1935, developed this popular type of self-help group. The 12 steps provide a guide for recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction, and a number of other addiction-like behaviors.

AA and the other 12 step programs modeled from it work from a spiritual basis that guides participants to turn their lives over to a “higher power,” like God or other spiritual guides. Relinquishing control to a personal higher power is essential to recovery in these programs. Participants remain anonymous, only giving first names when sharing with the group.

Members must also admit powerlessness over their alcohol or drug addiction. Group members offer support and guidance to one another as they work through the 12 steps on the road to recovery. In addition, to help with alcoholism, other 12 step programs include Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Gambler’s Anonymous (GA), and Overeaters Anonymous (OA), and more.

Online Groups – online support communities represent a growing trend in the self-help movement. These groups include chat rooms, forums, and closed social networks. One benefit of these is that they provide around-the-clock access to support. Occasionally, a professional moderates online groups, especially during certain planned discussions, but a great many are organized and run by peers. Check out the HealthyPlace Online Forum to see the wide variety of topics discussed there. The Internet offers a vast array of these online groups that address just about any mental illness or challenge you can think of.

Traditional Support Group – these support groups usually meet in a community meeting room or other public space. They address specific mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and many more. You can also find groups that offer support to people living with a mentally ill loved one. Getting together with others who have experienced similar challenges and adversity can help ease the stress and feelings of isolation when you care for a mentally ill family member. Likewise, people with mental health issues can benefit greatly by socializing with others with the same illness. A traditional face-to-face support group offers a safe place to do so.

What they can and can’t do?

The following are several key benefits of recovery self-help groups.

REGULAR ATTENDANCE INCREASES SELF-EFFICACY

Self-efficacy is the belief that people have in their own ability to achieve goals. The higher this level is, the more confident a person is that he or she will be able to succeed at something. One of the casualties of addiction is a person’s self-esteem and self-efficacy. Attending a self-help group can help rebuild self-esteem and broaden understanding.

PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS WITH SOCIAL CONTACT

Living in recovery can be quite isolating, especially in early recovery. It is not healthy for people to continue to have relationships with the friends they had when they were drinking or using who shared that lifestyle. It is simply too tempting to slip into old habits again.

Spending time in a room with people who are going through similar issues helps participants to feel as though they are not alone. They can also see that others understand exactly what they’re going through. This is a much healthier form of social contact.

DECREASES THE ODDS OF A RELAPSE

Attending group meetings, getting support from other members, and seeing for themselves that a sober lifestyle can be achieved over a long-term in spite of life stresses is inspiring to members. Attendees are not simply “talking the talk,” they know exactly what it feels like to commit to the lifestyle change involved in getting help for their addiction and keep following through even when life throws a curve ball at them.

OPEN TO EVERYONE

No special preparation or knowledge is required to attend a self-help group. They welcome anyone who suffering and is in need of help. It doesn’t matter if a participant in the group has had a setback or relapse. Group members can come back and start again.

Support groups may have drawbacks, and effective groups generally depend on the facilitator to help steer away from these problems. These problems may include:

Disruptive group members
Conversation dominated by griping
Lack of confidentiality
Emotional entanglement, group tension or interpersonal conflicts
Inappropriate or unsound medical advice
Competitive comparisons of whose condition or experience is worse

Self-help groups are not meant to substitute for professional help. If you or a loved one have a mental health or addiction problem, it is important not to self-diagnosis.

Getting the most out of your group?

When you join a new support group, you may be nervous about sharing personal issues with people you don’t know. At first, you may benefit from simply listening. Over time, however, contributing your own ideas and experiences may help you get more out of a support group.

Try a support group for a few weeks. If it doesn’t feel like a good fit for you, consider a different support group or a different support group format.

Remember that a support group isn’t a substitute for regular medical care. Let your doctor know that you’re participating in a support group. If you don’t think a support group is appropriate for you, but you need help coping with your condition or situation, talk to your doctor about counseling or other types of therapy.