Comparing Family Support Groups
You can seek support for yourself even while someone else is deciding about treatment. Compare the approach and practical fit of a meeting, then give yourself room to decide whether it helps.
For: Adult family members, partners and other supporters · 2 PDF pages
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Four Places to Start
Scroll the table sideways on a small screen to compare all columns.
| Organization | Who it is for / approach | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Anon | People affected by someone else’s drinking; a mutual-support fellowship. | al-anon.org/newcomers/ |
| Nar-Anon | People affected by someone else’s addiction; a 12-step program. Narateen is for teens. | nar-anon.org/what-is-nar-anon/ |
| SMART Recovery Family & Friends | Family and friends seeking support and practical tools while a loved one faces addiction. | smartrecovery.org/family |
| Families Anonymous | Relatives and friends concerned about drug use or related behavioral problems; a 12-step fellowship. | familiesanonymous.org |
Ask Before the First Meeting
- Is this meeting for family/friends, and does it fit my age and situation?
- Is it online or in person? What is the current time, time zone and access process?
- Can a newcomer listen first? How is discussion handled?
- What approach does the group use, including any spiritual language?
- What are the privacy expectations? Are contributions optional or materials sold separately?
These organizations offer peer or mutual support; the descriptions are not ratings or proof that one approach works best for everyone. A support meeting does not provide emergency care or replace a clinician when medical or mental health treatment is needed.
Compare Your Experience
- Meeting and access details
- Organization, meeting name, format, time zone and contact.
- What fit and what did not
- Approach, welcome, privacy questions and something useful you heard.
- Your next support step
- Try again, contact another group or ask a professional about your own needs.