How Do I Choose a Support Group?

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选择参加支持小组对您的整体恢复非常有帮助from substance abuse and addiction. But how do you find the right support group and when should you consider becoming a member as a part of your treatment?

Types of Support Groups

Support groups are according to the国家酒精滥用和酗酒研究所, “groups of two or more people who share a problem and come together to provide problem-specific help and support to one another.” There are several different types of these programs, and many of these are even divided into morespecific groupsthat focus on one drug or addiction only.

• 12-step groupsare, undoubtedly, the most popular type of support group available. Since the 1930s, people have been joiningAlcoholics Anonymousin order to quit drinking, and many othertypes of 12-step programs今天也存在。这些计划主要围绕着常规出席会议，练习禁欲和互相帮助的成员。该计划还教导了一个人必须把自己置于更高的力量，以实现强烈的复苏。
• 智能恢复, Secular Organizations for Sobriety, and other types of support groups revolve more around the idea of self-empowerment. These programs believe that members should learn to control their substance abuse without relying on a higher power.
• Some programs also teach that members should not consider abstinence to be the only way toward recovery. These programs can sometimes be successful for certain individuals who can continue to drink or participate in another activity in moderation without complete abstinence.
• Al-Anon和Nar-Anonare two other types of support groups meant for the瘾君子的家庭成员。These programs are often built on the idea of trying to understand a loved ones’ journey of recovery as well as healing for those who have been hurt by the addictions of others.

考虑到你的情况

People often choose 12-step support groups to help them through their recoveries. These options can help to support “abstinence and other healthy lifestyle goals” and provide members with social support (National Institute on Drug Abuse）。如果您是宗教和/或已经选择了令人舒服的更高权力，那么12步计划可能对您有益。

While one’s higher power need not be religious in nature, some individuals feel uncomfortable with this concept. If you do, you may want to choose a secular support group option like one of those listed above. In addition, if you do not feel abstinence is the best option for your needs,a non-12-step program could be helpful to you。It is important to consider all your needs and beliefs before choosing a support group and to understand what the group itself teaches and whether or not you feel their philosophy is one you are comfortable with.

Attend a Meeting

One of the best ways to find out if a support group is right for your needs is to attend a meeting. Usually, these programs are free, which can be helpful to those who are already dealing withthe costs of rehab。出席一个会议根本不应该花费你的任何东西，它也可以帮助您决定特定程序是否是您需求的最佳选择。

How Do I Choose a Support Group?

Choosing a support group should be highly based on what your needs are as a recovering addict, how you believe you will best be able to achieve a happy, successful life in recovery, and which methods will benefit you most. In general, though, it is important to choose a support group either after or during your time in a professional rehab program.

Everyone suffering from addiction should attend rehabin order to safely recover from their substance abuse, and support groups like those mentioned above can be a great supplement to treatment.