Families Anonymous (FA) is a

twelve-step program Twelve-step programs are international mutual aid programs supporting recovery from substance addictions, behavioral addictions and compulsions. Developed in the 1930s, the first twelve-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), aided its members ...

for relatives and friends of

addicts Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use oft ...

. FA was founded in 1971 by a group of parents in

Southern California Southern California (commonly shortened to SoCal) is a geographic and Cultural area, cultural region that generally comprises the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. It includes the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the second most po ...

concerned with their children's

substance abuse Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is the use of a drug in amounts or by methods which are harmful to the individual or others. It is a form of substance-related disorder. Differing definitions of drug abuse are used in public health, ...

Goal

The focus of FA is on supporting members rather than changing the behavior of their friend or relative with a substance abuse problem.

Tough love Tough love is the act of treating a person sternly or harshly with the intent to help them in the long run. Description Bill Milliken described tough love through the expression, "I don't care how this makes you feel toward me. You may hate m ...

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. One study suggested the therapeutic effects of participation included a process of

internalization Internalization ( or internalisation) is the process of making something internal, with more specific meanings in various fields. It is the opposite of externalization. Psychology and sociology In psychology, internalization is the outcome of ...

from the stories and information shared, rationalization and freeing from

guilt Guilt may refer to: *Guilt (emotion), an emotion that occurs when a person feels that they have violated a moral standard *Culpability, a legal term *Guilt (law), a legal term Music *Guilt (album), ''Guilt'' (album), a 2009 album by Mims *Guilt ( ...

regarding the behavior of the abuser, and The Traditions protecting anonymity which allow members to reduce potential stigma acquired from membership.

Activities

As of 2007 there are FA arrange meetings in more than 20 countries and about 225 regular meetings in the United States. A survey of FA groups in

Lisbon, Portugal Lisbon (; pt, Lisboa ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 544,851 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km2. Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administrative limits w ...

found members were mostly female, 45–60 years old, and mothers of substance abusing children. FA's original literature includes the book ''Today a Better Way'' on the principles of the FA program, a newsletter, the ''Twelve Step Rag'', as well as several pamphlets and booklets.

References

External links

Families Anonymous UK

Families Anonymous USA

Families Anonymous Portugal
{{Authority control Twelve-step programs 1971 establishments in California Organizations established in 1971 Non-profit organizations based in California Addiction organizations in the United States

Goal

Activities

See also

References

External links