Al-Anon newcomers: benefits of continuing attendance for six months.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
; 42(4): 441-9, 2016 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27120262
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Al-Anon Family Groups, a 12-step mutual-help program for people concerned about another person's drinking, is the most widely used form of help by Concerned Others.OBJECTIVES:
This longitudinal study examined newcomers' outcomes of attending Al-Anon. Aims were to better understand early gains from Al-Anon to inform efforts in the professional community to facilitate concerned others' attendance of and engagement in Al-Anon.METHODS:
We compared two groups of Al-Anon newcomers who completed surveys at baseline and 6 months later those who discontinued attendance by the 6-month follow-up (N = 133), and those who were still attending Al-Anon meetings (N = 97); baseline characteristics were controlled in these comparisons.RESULTS:
Newcomers who sustained participation in Al-Anon over the first 6 months of attendance were more likely than those who discontinued participation during the same period to report gains in a variety of domains, such as learning how to handle problems due to the drinker, and increased well-being and functioning, including reduced verbal or physical abuse victimization. Newcomers to Al-Anon reported more personal gains than drinker-related gains. The most frequent drinker gain was a better relationship with the Concerned Other; attendees were more likely to report this, as well as daily, in-person contact with the drinker.CONCLUSION:
Al-Anon participation may facilitate ongoing interaction between Concerned Others and drinkers, and help Concerned Others function and feel better. Thus, short-term participation may be beneficial. Health-care professionals should consider providing referrals to Al-Anon and monitoring early attendance.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Qualidade de Vida
/
Cooperação do Paciente
/
Alcoólicos Anônimos
/
Alcoolismo
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse
Ano de publicação:
2016
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos