1- What is AA/Smart Recovery/NA or mutual help groups
Addiction Medicine Physicians like recommending Mutual/Peer Support Groups since they appear to help. These groups include 12 step programs, Alcoholic Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Al Anon/Nar Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families (ACOA), Smart Recovery and Womens for Sobriety.
Mutual help groups vary tremendously. Although varied, they typically consist of a group of individuals wanting to live a sober life. They do this by following guidelines, and providing support and mentorship. Although each mutual help group organization may have established rules, each individual group differs. This means if you don’t meld with one group try going to another group to find something suitable for you.
To further explain what mutual help groups are, I’ll discuss AA since it’s the most well known. In AA, individuals preach sobriety by recommending a 12 step program. The belief is if an attendee follows the 12 steps and does as recommended sobriety will follow. Since this is easier said than done AA creates a support system. Attendees are instructed to connect with an AA sponsor for guidance during any struggles and concerns which may lead to relapse. Furthermore, AA spreads conventional wisdom to help with sobriety. For example, AA teaches the mnemonic HALT which is a simple way to give insight on triggers that may lead to substance use.
I am a fan of mutual help groups as I believe surrounding yourself with people trying to improve themselves can be beneficial. Data shows mutual help groups probably help, but it’s difficult for scientists to study this scientifically with Randomized control trials since so many factors can be involved in an individual’s sobriety.
2- I’m not spiritual/religious do I need to do AA?
Studies do show AA does help individuals who are ambivalent about the idea of the “God” component of AA. If this is a concern, however, other options do exist that don’t have a spiritual/religious component. SMART Recovery is an example. Find a mutual help group to match your beliefs if possible.
3- Other options other than AA
Yes, as mentioned AA is a type of mutual help group. There are other mutual help groups.
These groups include the famous 12 step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Al-Anon/Nar Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families (ACOA), Smart Recovery, and Women for Sobriety.