12-Step Interventions and Mutual Support Programs for Substance Use Disorders: An Overview

There are many counseling approaches, treatment programs, and psychosocial interventions for individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). Although some have been shown in clinical trials to be more effective than others, to date there is no single, superior treatment approach appropriate for all clients. While brief treatments have been successful with alcohol problems, longer term treatments are often needed for drug problems. For clients with more severe SUDs, long-term involvement in professional treatment (including medication-assisted therapies), mutual support programs, or both may be needed. This chapter includes a summary of treatment principles and guidelines that can serve as a framework for helping clients with SUDs.

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Words Medicine Residents Use to Describe Substance Use Disorders After Attending a Mutual Support Group Meeting

Journal of General Internal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s11606-020-06507-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Amy J. Kennedy ◽

Keely Lombardi ◽

Gretchen Fruehstorfer ◽

Megan Hamm ◽

Melissa McNeil ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Support Group ◽

Group Meeting ◽

Mutual Support

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Mutual Support Programs and Recovery Clubs

Managing Your Substance Use Disorder ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190926670.003.0014 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 105-112

Author(s):

Dennis C. Daley ◽

Antoine Douaihy

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Support Programs ◽

Narcotics Anonymous ◽

Mutual Support ◽

Internet Resources ◽

Social Events ◽

Free Environment ◽

Drug Problems ◽

Drug Free ◽

Limited Period

Numerous mutual support programs exist to help clients cope with substance use problem. The most common of these programs are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and other 12-step programs. All mutual support programs involve people with alcohol or drug problems helping each other. Some people maintain lifelong involvement in mutual support programs, and others use them for a limited period of time. Although programs vary in philosophies and approaches, most involve fellowship, recovery meetings, program steps or guidelines, recovery literature, social events, and internet resources. Some areas have recovery clubs or clubhouses for people in recovery. These provide an alcohol- and drug-free environment in which one can attend recovery meetings or other social events. The goals of this chapter are to learn about the different types of mutual support programs available and to determine which type of program may work for the client.

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Overview of Goal Planning

Managing Your Substance Use Disorder ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190926670.003.0007 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 51-58

Author(s):

Dennis C. Daley ◽

Antoine Douaihy

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Family Therapy ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Support Programs ◽

Chat Room ◽

Health And Wellness ◽

Mutual Support ◽

Online Recovery ◽

P Recovery ◽

Goal Planning

Recovery is a process of change in which clients improve their health and wellness. They set goals to work toward stopping substance use and learn skills to change themselves and their lifestyles so they can live substance-free. There are different paths to recovery, including individual, group, and/or family therapy; engaging in a treatment program such as a residential or nonresidential rehabilitation program; taking medications for addiction to alcohol, opioids, or nicotine; engaging in mutual support programs; participating in chat room discussions or online recovery meetings; using support from other people; and participating in community or self-growth activities that help clients sustain recovery. The goals of this chapter are for clients to begin to set and prioritize their recovery goals and to learn about the different paths and components of recovery.

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Treatment and Recovery for the Family

A Family Guide to Coping with Substance Use Disorders ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190926632.003.0011 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 97-105

Author(s):

Dennis C. Daley ◽

Antoine Douaihy

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Change Process ◽

Support Programs ◽

Family Roles ◽

Mutual Support ◽

The Family ◽

Professional Treatment

For the overall family, recovery involves changing how the family functions. It not only has to adjust to the sobriety of the recovering member (if this person is in recovery) but also has to make changes to function more effectively as a unit. Areas the family may need to address include accepting the SUD, stopping behaviors that reinforce substance use, improving communication, shifting family roles, reestablishing boundaries between generations, and building family togetherness. In some families, problems such as violence or abuse must be addressed. Professional treatment may be needed to address these issues and make changes in how the family functions. The change process can continue after treatment in mutual support programs.

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How to Use Therapy or Counseling

Managing Your Substance Use Disorder ◽

10.1093/med-psych/9780190926670.003.0006 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 39-50

Author(s):

Dennis C. Daley ◽

Antoine Douaihy

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Successful Treatment ◽

Alcoholics Anonymous ◽

Treatment Process ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Support Programs ◽

Narcotics Anonymous ◽

Mutual Support ◽

Different Types ◽

Drug Problems

There are many different types of therapy and counseling approaches for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems. Treatment is most effective when it helps clients develop and improve skills for dealing with the challenges and demands of recovery and the problems associated with substance use. Involving family in the treatment process can also increase the chances of successful treatment; so can active participation in mutual support programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. The goals of this chapter are for clients to learn how to get the most out of their treatment and to familiarize themselves with behaviors that may have a negative impact on their therapy.

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