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Drug Facts and Statistics

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Drug Facts and Statistics
Alexander Lapa
Updated on 23/01/2023
Medically reviewed by
Dr Alexander Lapa (Psychiatrist)

Drug support groups assist those in recovery as they look to maintain their sobriety and improve the quality of their life.

They also provide vital support, guidance, and information to those affected by someone else’s drug addiction.

Whether you are hoping to find out more about the benefits of drug support groups or want to locate a suitable drug support group, we have shared a wealth of information here that will enable you to do just that.

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What Are The Benefits Of Drug Support Groups?

Support

Celebrating recovery milestones, meeting others in recovery, participating in group therapy activities and securing additional support during challenging and testing periods are all benefits of drug support groups.

Though the benefits of attending a drug support group will have a meaningful impact on those in recovery, drug support groups ensure that those affected by someone else’s addiction can seek any help they may need to overcome common problems that come hand-in-hand with drug addictions.

What Role Do Drug Support Groups Play In Recovery?

Drug support groups are often an individual’s first port of call when drug addiction is identified. Although drug support groups do play a prominent role in an individual’s ability to maintain their recovery and sobriety, drug support groups do not replace the need for inpatient treatment.

Instead, drug support groups are incorporated into relapse prevention planning and aftercare support to assist those in recovery as they leave an inpatient rehab centre and continue their recovery at home.

Attending a drug support group can effectively minimise the risk of relapse, with much research highlighting a clear connection between participating in support groups and reduced drug relapse rates.

Drug Support Groups In The United Kingdom

Drug support groups can cater to a wide range of drug addictions. Below, we have shared just a few of the drug support groups in the United Kingdom.

 

Drug Addicts Anonymous

Drug support groups provided by Drug Addicts Anonymous encourage those in recovery to share their experience with drugs.

Offering closed and open meetings, Drug Addicts Anonymous support groups can be attended in-person and online.

Closed meetings can only be attended by those who are recovering from drug addictions. In contrast, open meetings can be attended by recovering addicts and family members affected by drug addictions.

Visit the Drug Addicts Anonymous website to locate a drug support group in London, the North West, the South East, the South West, the Isle of Wight or Wales.

 

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery holds four-point drug support groups and programmes to ensure that individuals have the support and help they need to maintain their drug addiction recovery.

Spanning 90 minutes, each support group guarantees that individuals are equipped with advice surrounding coping with urges, managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and living a balanced lifestyle free from the shackles of addiction.

Whether you have recently finished a rehab treatment programme or have been in recovery for an extended period, SMART Recovery drug support groups come highly recommended.

To find a meeting, visit the Smart Recovery website here.

 

Families Anonymous

Families Anonymous offers confidential support and drug support groups to those affected by a family member or friend’s drug addiction.

Located across the country, Families Anonymous hosts several face-to-face support groups. To accommodate the needs of all people affected, support groups are held at various times throughout the day and usually last for an hour and a half.

Find your nearest Families Anonymous support group here.

 

Adfam

Adfam provides drug support groups, information and help for family members and employers impacted by drug addiction.

Though face-to-face support groups can be attended and are often favoured, online drug support groups are also available. Hosted via Zoom, these groups are held at various times throughout the week.

To find out more about the services Adfam provides, locate a drug support group, or take advantage of the resources that Adfam shares online, visit their website.

Additional Drug Support Groups

In addition to the support groups outlined above, the following groups are also available for those struggling with drug addiction:

Contact Us Today

If you have any questions about the drug support groups available or would like to seek our advice on which support group to attend, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

Likewise, if you are yet to secure drug addiction treatment and would like our help in doing so, call us on 0800 012 6088.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do support groups supplement Inpatient Treatment?
Yes, support groups do supplement inpatient drug addiction treatment. All inpatient drug rehabs offer 12-months of free aftercare support, which often consists of attending a drug support group every week.
What happens during a Drug Support group meeting?
During a drug support group meeting, you will be encouraged to share your experience with drugs with others. You will also have the opportunity to listen to other people’s recovery stories and uncover how drugs have affected their life. Although you will be encouraged to share your story, drug support groups understand that doing so can be daunting. As a result, you will never be forced to do so. Like many others, you may find that you just want to listen and be present until you are ready to discuss the impact drugs have had on your life. Throughout a drug support group meeting, you will also have access to therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, and you will be able to seek any help and guidance that you require.
How beneficial are Drug Support groups for Mental Health Issues?
If you encountered dual diagnosis treatment upon attending an inpatient rehab, it is normal to wonder how beneficial drug support groups are for mental health issues. Should this resonate with you, it may be helpful to know that drug support groups can help manage mental health issues previously treated. However, if an underlying mental health issue is yet to be treated, it is important to secure addiction and mental health treatment via a rehab before attending a support group.

References

  • [1] Drug Addicts Anonymous - https://www.drugaddictsanonymous.org.uk
  • [2] SMART Recovery - https://smartrecovery.org.uk
  • [3] Families Anonymous - http://famanon.org.uk
  • [4] Adfam - https://adfam.org.uk
  • [5] Cocaine Anonymous - https://cocaineanonymous.org.uk
  • [6] Marijuana Anonymous - https://marijuana-anonymous.org.uk
  • [7] Narcotics Anonymous - https://ukna.org
Seth Bolton

Seth is an author, addiction recovery expert and fully accredited member of the national counselling society. He has experience working with a wide range of addictions and mental illnesses using a number of evidence-based therapies and programmes such as the SMART models of addiction recovery.

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