Group Work in the Context of Alcohol Treatment

Loughran, Hilda

doi:10.1080/15332705.2012.687329

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 15 publications

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“…In both cases they no longer felt alone, having found a community with which they could identify and where they felt 'normal'. This is not a unique feature of non-12-step forums as it can also be found in AA [37, p17] and is an important feature of group work generally online and offline [38]. However, being in non-12-step groups provides a community and a sense of 'normality' to those who did not feel they belonged in the world of the 'alcoholic' and AA and who otherwise may have remained isolated.…”

Section: Key Themesmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Someone like me’: User experiences of the discussion forums of non-12-step alcohol online support groups, June 2019

Sanger

Bath

Bates

2019

Addictive Behaviors

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Background: Peer support is widely acknowledged to be an important factor in recovery from problem drinking. Many seek this from support groups, including those online. Whilst Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step groups have provided help to many people, some individuals do not find them useful. This paper aims to contribute to the current limited knowledge on non-12-step groups, i.e., those that do not follow the approach of AA. Methods: Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were carried out with users of five non-12-step alcohol online support groups (AOSGs) which differed in approach to recovery from problem drinking, size and location. The study was publicised via the groups, and interviewees self-selected. Data were analysed using thematic and template analysis. Results: The most important benefit of the groups, according to most interviewees was finding 'someone like me': something that many did not feel they could do elsewhere, including in AA.Another key perceived difference from 12-step groups was that their groups provided support without requiring them to follow a set programme for recovery. The groups respected individuals' rights to choose their own goal for sobriety (e.g., abstinence, moderate drinking) and to choose how they achieved it. Other key benefits included seeing that recovery is possible and sharing experiential information. Some disadvantages of using the forums are also discussed. Conclusion: The findings report the experiences and perceptions of twenty-five users of non-12-step AOSGs. These are groups that have received little research attention so the findings offer a rare insight into users' opinions on these sources of peer support.

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Section: Key Themesmentioning

confidence: 99%