Journal article
Benefits and Costs of Alcoholic Relationships and Recovery Through Al-Anon
Substance use & misuse, Vol.50(1), pp.62-71
01/01/2015
DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2014.957773
PMID: 25268181
Abstract
Background: Codependence is an ambiguous and disputed term often used to characterize both those who maintain relationships with alcoholics and those who seek help through resources such as Al-Anon Family Groups. Objectives: The purpose of this article is to better understand non-pathological reasons for maintaining alcoholic relationships and for help-seeking by detailing the costs and benefits of those choices. Methods: The costs and benefits both of remaining in an alcoholic relationship and of seeking help in Al-Anon were identified through a review of available research on alcoholic family systems, Al-Anon, and other mutual-support groups. Results: Alcoholic relationships may benefit concerned others by preserving self-identity, social identity, values, security, stability, and hope. Costs of alcoholic relationships include physical symptoms, injury, mental problems, financial difficulty, legal troubles, and relational distress. Al-Anon is perceived beneficial for six primary reasons: Al-Anon philosophy, format, social support, accessibility, effectiveness, and potential to change the drinker's behavior. Possible costs of Al-Anon include marginalization of the concerned other, blame, codependent pathology, sexist stereotyping, substitute dependency, and perpetuating victimization. Conclusions/Importance: The identified costs and benefits of alcoholic relationships and help-seeking in Al-Anon can help to model decision-making processes using existing behavioral health frameworks without defaulting to the stigmatized and ambiguous codependence terminology.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Benefits and Costs of Alcoholic Relationships and Recovery Through Al-Anon
- Creators
- Lance Brendan Young - Western Illinois UniversityChristine Timko - Stanford Medicine
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Substance use & misuse, Vol.50(1), pp.62-71
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- DOI
- 10.3109/10826084.2014.957773
- PMID
- 25268181
- ISSN
- 1082-6084
- eISSN
- 1532-2491
- Number of pages
- 10
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/01/2015
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry; Dentistry Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9984367731702771
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