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MONDAY, Nov. 24 (HealthDay News) -- An estimated five million Americans over the age of 12 participate in self-help groups for alcohol and drug abuse each year, including 2.3 million who currently abstain from use of these substance.
That's the finding of a report released Monday by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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The report, which includes data from 2006 and 2007 nationwide surveys of 67,500 people each year, also found that:
- 45.3 percent attended a self-help group because of their alcohol use only; 21.8 percent attended because of illicit drug use only, and 33 percent attended because of both alcohol and illicit drug use.
- 45.1 percent of past year self-help group participants didn't use alcohol or illicit drugs in the past month.
- 32.7 percent of those who attended a self-help group for alcohol/drug use during the past year also received specialty treatment for their abuse, including treatment received at a hospital as an outpatient, at a rehabilitation facility as an inpatient or outpatient, or at a mental health center.
"This report adds to the substantial body of research indicating that participation in self-help groups can help support people battling substance abuse problems. Self-help groups often are used in conjunction with specialty treatment and to support individuals seeking help or sustaining their recovery," Dr. Eric Broderick, SAMHSA acting administrator, said in a government news release.
More information
SAMSHA has more about drug and alcohol abuse treatment.
-- Robert Preidt
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