@article{ref1,
title="Al-Anon newcomers: benefits of continuing attendance for six months",
journal="American journal of drug and alcohol abuse encompassing all addictive disorders",
year="2016",
author="Timko, Christine and Laudet, Alexandre and Moos, Rudolf H.",
volume="42",
number="4",
pages="441-449",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0095-2990",
doi="10.3109/00952990.2016.1148702",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2016.1148702"
}