Summary of Self-Empowering Support Groups
A. Tom Horvath, Ph.D., ABPP, Kaushik Misra, Ph.D., Amy K. Epner, Ph.D., and Galen Morgan Cooper, Ph.D. , edited by C. E. Zupanick, Psy.D.In this section, we have discussed the social support approach to addictions recovery. We identified two primary types of social support groups. These are self-empowering support groups, and support groups that rely on a "higher power." The later groups are usually termed 12-step support groups. Self-empowering support groups attribute power to people's abilities to overcome their own problems and difficulties. This includes addiction. In contrast, 12-step models suggest individuals are powerless over their addictions. Instead, a power "greater than oneself" (often referred to as God) is believed to be the power that "restores" people's "sanity." Although 12-step groups are indeed a type of social support group, their basic premise is one that relies upon a spiritual belief. Therefore, we address this type of social support group in the next section on Spiritual Approaches to Addiction Recovery.
Resources
Articles
- What is Addiction?
- Introduction to What is An Addiction
- Definition of Addiction
- Definiton of Addiction Continued
- The Addiction Definition Compared to Other Addiction Terms
- How Do I Know if I Have An Addiction?
- Why Don't They Just Stop? Addiction and the Loss of Control
- Is Alcoholism a Disease?
- Addiction Statistics: How Big of a Problem Is It?
- A Brief History of Alcoholism
- What Causes Addiction?
- Introduction to Causes of Addiction
- The Many Causes of Addiction and Bio-Psych-Social-Spiritual Model
- Biological Causes of Addiction
- Disease Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Evolutionary Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Psychological Causes of Addiction
- Learning Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications:
- Social Learning Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Cognitive (Expectancy) Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Educational Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Developmental Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Sociological Causes of Addiction and the Temperance Model
- General Systems Theory of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Sociocultural Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Public Health Model of Addiction and Recovery Implications
- Moral and Spiritual Causes of Addiction
- Addiction and Personal Responsibility: A Fundamental Conflict
- Personal Responsibility and Locus of Control
- Controversies in the Addiction Field: Change Versus Acceptance
- Conflict between 12-Step Anonymous Groups and Science: A Historical Perspective
- Conflict between 12-Step Anonymous Groups and Science Continued
- How Do You Get Addicted?
- Introduction to How Do You Get Addicted?
- The Biology of Addiction and Recovery
- How Does Addiction Affect the Brain?
- Addiction Changes the Brain's Chemistry
- Addiction Changes the Brain's Communication Pathways
- Addiction Changes Brain Structures and Their Functioning
- Impaired Decision-making, Impulsivity, and Compulsivity: Addictions' Effect on the Cerebral Cortex
- Drug Seeking and Cravings: Addictions' Effect on the Brain's Reward System
- Habit Formation, Craving, Withdrawal, and Relapse Triggers: Addictions' Effect on the Amygdala
- Stress Regulation and Withdrawal: Addictions' Effect on the Hypothalamus
- The Good News: The Brain Also Helps to Reverse Addiction
- The Psychology of Addiction and Recovery
- Learning Theory and Addiction
- Classical Conditioning and Addiction
- Operant Conditioning and Addiction
- Social Learning Theory and Addiction
- Cognitive Theory and Addiction (Thoughts, Beliefs, Expectations)
- Cognitive Theory and Addiction Continued
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: Improving Coping Skills
- Addiction and Other Psychological Disorders
- Developmental Theory and Addiction
- Recovery from Addiction: The Psychology of Motivation and Change
- Addiction: Social and Cultural Influences
- Addiction and Sociological Influences: Culture and Ethnicity
- Recovery from Addiction: Becoming Aware of Cultural Influences
- Recovery from Addiction: The Powerful Influence of Families
- Recovery from Addiction: Social Support
- The Spirituality of Addiction & Recovery
- The Spirituality of Addiction & Recovery Continued
- Incorporating Spirituality into Recovery from Addiction
- Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
- How Do You Know If You Have An Addiction?
- The Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders (Addiction)
- The Diagnostic Criteria of Substance-Induced Disorders
- Alcohol-Related Disorders
- Caffeine-Use Disorders
- Cannabis-Related Disorders (Marijuana)
- Hallucinogen-Related Disorders
- Inhalant-Related Disorders
- Opioid-Related Disorders (Heroin, Oxycontin®, Vicodin® and other pain medications)
- Sedative-, Hypnotic-, Or Anxiolytic-Related Disorders
- Stimulant Use Disorder: Amphetamine Type (e.g., methamphetamine)
- Tobacco-Related Disorders
- Other Substance-Related Diagnosis and Unspecified Other Substance-Related Disorder
- Activity Addictions (Behavioral Addictions)
- Gambling Disorder (Addiction)
- Sexual Addiction and Pornography Addiction
- Other Activity (or Behavioral) Addictions: Internet Gaming Disorder (Addiction)
- Other Activity (or Behavioral) Addictions: Food Addiction
- Addiction and Other Psychological Disorders
- Addiction and Eating Disorders
- Addiction and Personality Disorders
- Addiction with Depression, Anxiety, and Compulsive Disorders
- Summary of the Diagnostic Process
- Treatment for Addiction
- Treatment for Addiction
- Natural Recovery: Recovery from Addiction Without Treatment
- Natural Recovery Continued
- Choosing An Effective Treatment Approach: Evidenced-Based Practices
- What Makes An Addictions Treatment Effective?
- Biological Approaches to Addiction Treatment: Medications
- The Role of Medication in Addictions Treatment
- Pharmacologic Medications for Addictions Treatment
- Pharmacologic Medications for Addictions Treatment: Part II
- Psychological Approaches to Addiction Treatment
- Motivation for Change: The Stages of Change Model
- Motivation for Change Continued
- Types of Evidenced-Based (Effective) Treatments for Addiction: Motivational Interviewing
- Relapse Prevention Therapy
- Contingency Management
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- What The Pros Know: The Practical Recovery Model
- Social Approaches Addictions Recovery
- A Cultural Approach to Addictions Treatment: Harm Reduction
- Family Approaches to Addictions Treatment: CRAFT, Intervention And Al-Anon
- The Social Support Approach to Addictions Recovery: Recovery Support Groups
- Self-Empowering Support Groups for Addiction Recovery: Smart Recovery
- Moderation Management
- Women for Sobriety
- LifeRing Secular Recovery
- Summary of Self-Empowering Support Groups
- Spiritual Approaches to Addiction Recovery
- 12-Step Support Groups: Groups That End With "Anonymous"
- 12-Step Support Groups: Part II
- 12-Step Support Groups: Part III
- Expanding Addiction Treatment Choices in the United States
- Developing a Personal Action Plan for Addiction Recovery: Part I
- Developing a Personal Action Plan for Addiction Recovery: Part II
- References
- Resources
- Frequentlly Asked Questions about Addiction
- What is Addiction?
News
- Black Americans Now More Likely to Die of Drug Overdoses Than Whites
- Sackler Family Sweetens Opioid Settlement Offer
- As Fentanyl Overdoses Rise, So Does Use of 'Party Drug' Test Strips
- Psychosis Risk Rises When People Abuse 'Speed'
- CDC Issues Proposed Changes to Opioid Painkiller Guidelines
- Opioids, Cocaine, Meth Are Hitting America's Black Communities Hardest
- Many Who Use Both Pot & Booze Say They've Driven Intoxicated
- U.S. Justice Dept. Might Allow Safe Injection Sites to Curb Opioid Deaths
- Young Americans Lost Almost 1.5 Million Years of Life to Opioids Between 2015 and 2019
- People High on Pot Used a Driving Simulator. Here's What Happened
- 40 more
- Driving Both High and Drunk More Dangerous Than Either Alone: Study
- Opioid Addiction Treatment in Jail Could Change Lives
- More Folks Drive High When Pot Made Legal: Study
- There Are No Hangover Cures, Scientists Say
- ERs Can Boost Efforts to Stamp Out Opioid Addiction
- NYC's Overdose Prevention Centers Already Saving Lives
- U.S. Fentanyl Deaths Soaring, Especially in West
- Did Pandemic Lockdowns Worsen the Epidemic of Opioid Abuse?
- Half of Drinkers Who Think They're Fit to Drive Are Wrong: Study
- Marijuana Can Really Mess With Your Sleep, Study Suggests
- First Overdose Prevention Centers in the Nation Open in NYC
- Wearable Device Spots, Reverses Opioid Overdoses
- Ridesharing Services May Be Lowering Drunk Driving Deaths
- Over 100,000 Americans Died From Drug Overdoses in One Year: Report
- Number of Teens Who Vape Marijuana Doubled in 7 Years
- Scientists Develop Quick Test for Marijuana Use
- Many Addicts Turned to Telemedicine During Pandemic, But Does It Beat In-Person Care?
- CDC Reports Record High 12-Month Drug Overdose Death Toll
- How the COVID Pandemic Made the Opioid Epidemic Worse, Even as Telehealth Helped
- Smoking, Drinking Gateway to Pot, Study Finds
- DEA Warns of Fentanyl in Counterfeit Opioid Pills
- Teens Who Use Pot, E-Cigs and Cigarettes Are in Triple Danger
- U.S. Meth Overdose Deaths Tripled in Recent Years
- Animal Sedative Is Driving Rise in Fatal Drug ODs
- Opioid Use Disorder Is as Deadly as Heart Attack: Study
- Do Your Genes Up Your Odds for Alcoholism? One Factor Cuts the Risk
- Fatal Opioid ODs Keep Rising in Black Americans
- Oxycontin Maker Purdue Dissolved, Family to Pay $4.5 Billion in Bankruptcy Settlement
- Half of Adults With ADHD Have Struggled With Alcohol, Drug Use
- Fatal ODs From Illicit Tranquilizers Jumped 6-Fold During Pandemic
- Pandemic Tied to Rising Number of Fatal Opioid ODs
- No Change in Overall Rate of Alcohol, Drug Use Among Adolescents During Pandemic
- Family Behind Oxycontin Denies Any Responsibility for Opioid Crisis
- New CDC Guidelines May Have Made Opioid Prescribing Safer
- Severe Opioid Overdoses Rose by Nearly a Third During Pandemic
- High-Dose Withdrawal Drug in ER Can Help Battle Opioid Addiction
- More Americans Gaining Access to Opioid Addiction Treatment, But Race Matters
- U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Jumped Nearly 30% During Pandemic
- Autism & Drinking, Drug Abuse Can Be Dangerous Mix
- 1 in 20 College Students Has 'Internet Gaming Disorder,' Study Finds
Tests
Self-Help Groups
Links
Videos
- Technology Addiction
- Why People Can Become Addicted to Opioids
- The Swiss Cheese Model of Drug Addiction
- The 7 Skills for Addiction-Free Living: Alternatives to Substance Abuse
- Teen Drug Use: 2014 Monitoring The Future Survey Results
- Sex and Gender Differences of Importance to Addiction Science
- How to Tell if a Loved One is Abusing Opioids
- Why Addiction is a “Disease” and Why Is It Important
- NIDA Emerging Drugs-Methylone and Molly
- Designed to Drink? The Genetics of Alcoholism
- 39 more
- Women and Addiction: Why Gender Matters
- Designed to Drink? The Genetics of Alcoholism
- Gaming disorder: questions and answers
- ADHD & Risk of Adult Drug Use
- Energy Drink Sparking More ER Visits
- Why are Drugs So Hard To Quit
- Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs
- Substance Use: Addiction Theories New Treatments and the Role of Doctoring in Society
- The Impact of Changing Social Behaviors on Teen Drug Use
- Teen Substance Use
- Cannabis Effects on Driving Performance
- Epidemiology of Tobacco Use
- Addiction: Learning to Forget
- Addiction: What Can I Do About It?
- Addiction: Treat It Like a Disease
- Addiction: What Is It?
- One in 4 People Prescribed Opioids Progresses to Longer-Term Prescriptions
- NIDA’s Dr. Phil Skolnick discusses intranasal naloxone
- "Eyes On" Research in Drugged Driving
- How Will Anti-Drug Vaccines Be Used? An Interview With Dr. Thomas Kosten
- Opioid Use in Pregnancy: A Community’s Approach
- Naloxone Rescue Kits
- Living Without Fear
- What You Need to Know About Internet Addiction
- Hooked, Hacked, Hijacked: Reclaim Your Brain from Addictive Living
- The Neuroscience of Internet Addiction
- Internet Addiction: Signs You Need to Shut Down
- What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains
- Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Substance Abuse Treatment
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Cocaine
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Methamphetamine
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Marijuana
- The Reward Circuit: How the Brain Responds to Natural Rewards and Drugs
- Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) for Addictions Video (vol. 1)
- Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention for Addictions (vol. 2)
- Prescription Opioid Misuse
- Substance Use Disorders/Addictions - Clinical Overview
- Addiction in the Elderly
- Teenagers, ADHD, and Substance Abuse
Topics
Related Topic Centers
Abuse
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Adoption
Autism
Child & Adolescent Development: Overview
Child & Adolescent Development: Puberty
Child Development & Parenting: Early (3-7)
Child Development & Parenting: Infants (0-2)
Child Development & Parenting: Middle (8-11)
Child Development & Parenting:Adolescence (12-24)
Child Development Theory: Adolescence (12-24)
Child Development Theory: Middle Childhood (8-11)
Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses
Childhood Special Education
Divorce
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Intellectual Disabilities
Learning Disorders
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Parenting
Self Esteem
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Depression: Depression & Related Conditions
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Domestic Violence and Rape
Eating Disorders
Impulse Control Disorders
Intellectual Disabilities
Mental Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
Personality Disorders
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Schizophrenia
Sexual Disorders
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
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Tourettes and other Tic Disorders