Alcohol & Depression Support Groups

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were over 22,000 alcohol-induced deaths in the United States in 2006. Reports from the National Institute of Mental Health state that over 20 percent of the U.S. adult population experience some form of Depression each year. Experienced together, alcohol and depression produce a toxic synergism. Alcohol and depression support groups are crucial for long-term recovery and ultimately lead to a higher quality of life for individuals who need them. Support groups can be found all across the United States and focus on treatment and recovery models for those who wish to join.

History

• Support groups for alcoholism and those afflicted with depression have been around for decades. An example is Alcoholics Anonymous, the first official support group for recovering alcohol addicts. According to Alanon.org, the group was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. These two men were addicted to alcohol and were in recovery; they met each other in Akron, Ohio, in June 1935 and decided to help each other stay sober. From that point on, the two founded Alcoholics Anonymous, which has helped millions improve their lives from an alcohol addiction.

Types

• There are different types of support groups for both alcohol addicts and those suffering from depression. Alcohol support groups usually include those with the 12-step model such as Alcoholics Anonymous and more intensive alcohol-rehab group programs that have both a one-on-one and group component.

  Two types of depression support groups can be found both for individuals suffering from depression and members of a family living with someone who has the mental illness.

  In addition, alcohol and depression sometimes go hand-in-hand; there are support groups that fit both of these illnesses into their support model.

Goal-Setting

• Goal-setting and initial preparation are needed before entering an alcohol support group or one for depression and other mental illnesses. Goals are usually discussed in the process when receiving support, but here are two questions to begin with:

  What is motivating you? -- This is a good question to determine if you have truly joined a support group to get help or if someone else is twisting your arm or forcing you.

  What did I do before my illness? -- A question to think about the activities and outings you enjoyed before being addicted to alcohol or consumed with depression, so that you could possibly make the decision to return to those favorite activities.

Time Frame

• Commitment is an important aspect to any support group, especially those for alcohol addicts and depression. The road to recovery, stress management, and dealing with change is never going to be met in two or three support-group meetings. On the contrary, the time frame that any participant of an alcohol or depression support group should be looking at is anywhere from six months to two years, minimum. This will ensure that any goals that have been set will have been met or nearing completion, and the participant will be able to stand firmly on his or her own two feet apart from the group.

Benefits

• There are both short-term and long-term benefits for anyone attending an alcohol and depression support group. Short-term benefits include receiving immediate help with addictions and other life struggles, as well as the realization that other individuals just like you are suffering the same problems. Long-term benefits of support groups include a higher quality of life, freedom from alcohol addiction, more coping techniques for depression, and the personal pride that you have successfully overcome your illness.