Those Who Stay in Al-Anon Attend Frequently

Why Some Don't 'Keep Coming Back'

By BuddyT

Although they could benefit from continued participation, more than half of newcomers to Al-Anon Family Groups stop attending meetings within six months of attending their first meeting.

Al-Anon Family Groups (Al-Anon), a 12-step mutual-help program for people concerned about another's drinking, is the most widely used form of help for concerned others in the United States.

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine assessed the prevalence of dropout, and predictors of dropout, in the six months following newcomers' initial attendance at Al-Anon meetings.

Dropping Out Despite Continued Problems

A survey of 251 Al-Anon newcomers found that 57 percent had dropped out -- had not attended a meeting in the past month -- before six months. These dropouts reported high rates of continuing problems concerning their drinking friends and relatives, suggesting they would benefit from ongoing help and support.

So, why did they drop out, if they could still benefit from Al-Anon attendance?

Why Do They Drop Out?

The survey found that those who did drop out:

• Were less likely to have been referred to Al-Anon by their drinker's healthcare provider.


• Reported less severe problems than those who continued to attend.


• Were more often concerned about their drinker's psychological health.

Referrals Make a Difference

Dropouts were less likely to have been referred to Al-Anon by their drinker's health care provider and to talk with a professional as a way to cope with problems or crises, but more likely to have been referred by Al-Anon members. The lack of referral by health care professionals may contribute to long delays between the beginning of newcomers' difficulties and their seeking help through Al-Anon, researchers reported.

RELATED: What Is Al-Anon and Alateen?

Individuals who later dropped out of Al-Anon reported less severe problems than individuals who continued to attend. More specifically, dropouts were less likely to have a diagnosed medical condition and to report being victimized by physical abuse than those who were retained in Al-Anon. Dropouts also were more likely to be satisfied with their finances and their quality of life and well-being.

Dropouts were more often concerned about their drinker's psychological health, specifically, his or her high stress and anxiety, low self-esteem, and unsatisfying spiritual life. Newcomers with these concerns about their drinkers may have found them to be unsuited to Al-Anon's philosophy. Al-Anon discourages trying to change the drinker and advises newcomers to detach from the drinker, focus on themselves, and obtain help for their own distress and related psychological difficulties.

Looking for a Quick Fix

Those who dropped out were more likely to attend only one meeting a month, while those who continued to attend were more likely to attend weekly. The researchers found that those who dropped out may not have tried at least weekly engagement with the fellowship at the beginning.

Dropouts may have been attracted to try Al-Anon for reasons other than its core philosophy. They were more likely than attendees to report that they came to Al-Anon because meetings are at convenient times and places and are free of charge. These findings suggest that dropouts may have been looking for a “quick fix” for their problems, the study authors speculated.

Would Benefit From Continued Attendance

Although dropouts initially had less severe problems than individuals who continued to attend Al-Anon, dropouts did report high rates of problems:

• 89 percent reported problems with their drinker
• 56 percent had a lot of concern about the drinker's alcohol use
• Only 44 percent were satisfied with their quality of life and well-being

Thus, individuals who drop out of Al-Anon may continue to have problems and needs that would benefit from ongoing help and support, particularly in light of the chronic and relapsing nature of substance abuse disorders.

Society Has Changed

The researchers also suggested that internal and societal changes have presented challenges to long-term membership. Original Al-Anon groups generally consisted mainly of wives of A.A. members, which facilitated ongoing participation. This current survey revealed that less than one-half of newcomers reported their drinker's were attending A.A.

RELATED: Effects of Alcoholism on the Family

Also, while Al-Anon primary focus remains to help friends and families of alcoholics, today's newcomers are increasingly concerned about someone with multiple addictions and/or mental health problems, according to the survey.

The authors also report, "In addition, the increased accessibility of Al-Anon resources online and via social media, together with competing demands of work and caring for both children and older parents, may decrease the likelihood of face-to-face meeting attendance."

^{Source: Timko, C, et al. "Newcomers to Al-Anon family groups: Who stays and who drops out?" Addictive Behavior 1 June 2015}

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