Families Anonymous

Families Anonymous (FA) is a twelve-step program for relatives and friends of addicts.[1] FA was founded in 1971 by a group of parents in Southern California concerned with their children's substance abuse.[2] As of 2007 there are FA meetings in more than 20 countries and about 225 regular meetings in the United States.[1][3] A survey of FA groups in Lisbon, Portugal found members were mostly female, 45-60 years old, and mothers of substance abusing children.[4]

The focus of FA is on supporting members rather than changing the behavior of their friend or relative with a substance abuse problem.[2] Tough love is suggested as an approach to use when dealing with addicts—members do not need to rescue addicts from the consequences of problems the addicts have created, and members should be willing to offend addicts if necessary.[5] One study suggested the therapeutic effects of participation included a process of internalization from the stories and information shared, rationalization and freeing from guilt regarding the behavior of the abuser, and The Traditions protecting anonymity which allow members to reduce potential stigma acquired from membership.[4]

FA's original literature includes the book Today a Better Way[6] on the principles of the FA program, a newsletter, the Twelve Step Rag, as well as several pamphlets and booklets.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Chapter V. Where to Turn for Help". Family Matters: Substance Abuse and The American Family (PDF). The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. March 2005. pp. 31–43. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  2. "Families Anonymous, Inc. - FA". U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2006-07-06. Archived from the original on 2009-03-17. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  3. Glaser, Susan (2007-05-24). "Families help each other cope with drug-addicted children". Cleveland, OH: Plain Dealer. Archived from the original on 2009-03-17. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
  4. Fróis, Catarina O; Rodgers, David Allan (April 2007). "A reinvenção do eu através do discurso: narrativa, estigma e anonimato nas Famílias Anônimas". Mana (in Portuguese). 13 (1): 63–84. doi:10.1590/S0104-93132007000100003.
  5. Lawton, Marcia J. (1982). "Comment: Group Psychotherapy with Alcoholics: Special Techniques". Journal of Studies on Alcohol. 43 (11): 1276–1278. ISSN 0096-882X. OCLC 1261091. PMID 7182687.
  6. Families Anonymous (1991). Today a Better Way. Van Nuys, CA: Families Anonymous. OCLC 42889952.
  7. "Families Anonymous, Inc". National Health Information center: Health Information Resource Database. 2006-06-19. Archived from the original on 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2009-03-16.
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