Alcohol addiction is an isolating disease. People with alcohol use disorders often feel stereotyped, stigmatized and helpless. But there are more resources for people with alcoholism than ever before.
Each year, more than 2 million people attend support group meetings, and more than 1 million receive treatment for alcohol addiction. Help for alcoholism is available for those who seek it, and different types of support exist to
treat people with different needs and beliefs.
If you are a friend or family member of someone with alcoholism, you have options, too. The following organizations, agencies, support
groups and hotlines provide reliable information and help for people affected by alcoholism.
Alcohol Support Groups
Support groups allow people in recovery to talk to one another in a safe environment. Listening to the stories of others
and learning from their experiences shows individuals that they aren’t alone.
Connecting with other people is so important to recovery that
alcohol rehab facilities often introduce clients to support groups. Twelve-step groups are common, but there are
several other types of support groups that can benefit people in recovery from alcoholism.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is the largest, oldest and most well-known support group for people in recovery from alcoholism.
Its purpose is to empower members to achieve and maintain sobriety. AA emphasizes a 12-step program that encourages participants
to achieve a spiritual awakening that guides their recovery.
Secular Organizations for Sobriety is composed of support groups located across the United States. The groups use the writings
of founder James Christopher as a guide toward a nonreligious path to sobriety. Membership is free and anonymous.
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery was developed out of a desire for a scientific, less spiritual self-help approach for recovery from
addiction. The SMART Recovery 4-Point Program gives people seeking help for alcoholism tools for recovery. SMART Recovery hosts free online
forums and community support groups.
Women for Sobriety is a nonprofit organization that helps women overcome problems with alcohol abuse. Its New Life self-help program emphasizes
13 acceptance statements that assist women with acknowledging and overcoming the disease of alcohol addiction.
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Celebrate Recovery is a spiritual recovery program based on biblical readings. More than 29,000 churches across the world
use the program. Celebrate Recovery teaches people affected by addiction to overcome detrimental habits by introducing
them to the words of Jesus Christ.
LifeRing Secular Recovery is an international network of people in recovery from alcohol and other drugs. The group uses
peer support to promote personal growth and lead individuals in recovery as they develop personalized strategies for
maintaining sobriety.
Resources for Friends and Families of People with Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholism is a family disease. Its impact isn’t limited to one person. Friends, family members and others close to the alcoholic
often experience side effects of the person’s symptoms. Numerous groups help people cope with someone else’s alcohol abuse issues
and provide guidance for supporting and loving someone with the disease.
Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a support group for friends and family members of problem drinkers. At Al-Anon meetings, participants
share how someone else’s alcohol abuse has affected them. The community resource helps participants learn how to cope with
someone else’s problematic drinking.
Alateen
Alateen is a support group for adolescents and young adults coping with a family member’s alcoholism. At Alateen meetings,
youth learn from the experiences of their peers and find support from people their age.
Adult Children of Alcoholics
Adult Children of Alcoholics group meetings are held in an estimated 1,500 locations across the United States. Members
discuss how their lives were influenced by a parent’s alcoholism, and they follow a
12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. It emphasizes a loss of control over the effects of alcohol abuse and
finding serenity through a higher power.
Co-Dependents Anonymous is a support group for people striving to improve their relationship with someone afflicted with an
addiction. Members practice the group’s 12 steps and principles to recover from codependence.
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids raises awareness of the culture of alcohol and
drug abuse in the United States. Parents can learn how to talk to their children about alcohol, how to convince their
child to stop drinking and how to support their child’s recovery.
Alcoholism is a complicated disease, and it’s often misunderstood by people who haven’t spent time learning about it. A lot
of incorrect information is promoted by people who mistake
alcohol addiction for a moral problem. The following organizations and agencies are authoritative resources that provide accurate
information about alcoholism and related mental health issues.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine is a professional group of more than 4,000 physicians and other professionals
who practice addiction medicine. The group’s mission is to improve access to treatment, support research on addiction
and educate the public about
substance use disorders.
The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry is another professional group composed of health professionals and experts on
addiction. The group is dedicated to educating and improving addiction policy, practice and prevention.
The American Psychological Association is the leading group of mental health professionals. The organization establishes
standards for the field of psychology.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is a government agency that conducts research on the effects of alcohol
on health. It provides educational information for the public.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse conducts research on alcohol and other drugs. It offers resources and knowledge for
people wishing to learn more about the diseases of addiction and alcoholism.
The National Institute of Mental Health oversees research on
mental health disorders. It’s the largest biomedical research agency in the world, and it provides resources on a
wide range of mental health topics.
Seeking help for a loved one?Let us connect you with a recovery specialist today.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence is a nonprofit that provides referral services, intervention programs,
professional training, prevention information, public awareness campaigns and other recovery resources.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration oversees NIDA, NIAAA and NIMH. It produces a variety of informational
pamphlets, e-books and brochures on preventing, treating and recovering from alcohol use disorders.
Helpful Hotlines
If you or someone you know needs help achieving or maintaining sobriety, reach out to one of the toll-free alcohol hotlines below for support from trained professionals.
Phone: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)
SAMHSA National Helpline provides information on mental health issues and alcohol use disorders any time of day, every day
of the year. You can also call the agency to receive a referral to a local mental health provider.
Phone: 1-800-NCA-CALL (1-800-622-2255)
NCADD Hope Line employs trained professionals that listen to your needs, assist you in determining your best course of action
and refer you to appropriate resources in your community.
Phone: 1-855-DRUGFREE (1-855-378-4373)
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids’ helpline is for parents whose children are abusing alcohol or other drugs. Support specialists
help parents devise a plan for preventing future substance abuse. By using the support groups and resources above,
you can become more educated and prepared to face alcoholism or help another person recover from alcoholism. Understanding
the disease of addiction is one of the first steps toward sobriety.
Medical Disclaimer: DrugRehab.com aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
Author
Senior Content Writer,
DrugRehab.com
Chris Elkins worked as a journalist for three years and was published by multiple newspapers and online publications. Since 2015, he’s written about health-related topics, interviewed addiction experts and authored stories of recovery. Chris has a master’s degree in strategic communication and a graduate certificate in health communication.
Medical Reviewer
Psychiatrist,
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
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