Families Anonymous
Encyclopedia
Families Anonymous is a twelve-step program
for relatives and friends of addicts. FA was founded in 1971 by a group of parents in Southern California
concerned with their children's substance abuse
. As of 2007 there are FA meetings in more than 20 countries and about 225 regular meetings in the United States. A survey of FA groups in Lisbon, Portugal found members were mostly female, 45-60 years old, and mothers of substance abusing children.
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
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
from the stories and information shared, rationalization
and freeing from guilt
regarding the behavior of the abuser, and The Traditions
protecting anonymity which allow members to reduce potential stigma acquired from membership.
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.
Twelve-step program
A Twelve-Step Program is a set of guiding principles outlining a course of action for recovery from addiction, compulsion, or other behavioral problems...
for relatives and friends of addicts. FA was founded in 1971 by a group of parents in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
concerned with their children's substance abuse
Substance abuse
A substance-related disorder is an umbrella term used to describe several different conditions associated with several different substances .A substance related disorder is a condition in which an individual uses or abuses a...
. As of 2007 there are FA meetings in more than 20 countries and about 225 regular meetings in the United States. A survey of FA groups in Lisbon, Portugal found members were mostly female, 45-60 years old, and mothers of substance abusing children.
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
Tough love is an expression used when someone treats another person harshly or sternly with the intent to help them in the long run. The phrase was evidently coined by Bill Milliken when he wrote the book Tough Love in 1968 and has been used by numerous authors since then.In most uses, there must...
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
Internalization has different definitions depending on the field that the term is used in. Internalization is the opposite of externalization.- General :...
from the stories and information shared, rationalization
Rationalization (psychology)
In psychology and logic, rationalization is an unconscious defense mechanism in which perceived controversial behaviors or feelings are logically justified and explained in a rational or logical manner in order to avoid any true explanation and made consciously tolerable by plausible means...
and freeing from guilt
Guilt
Guilt is the state of being responsible for the commission of an offense. It is also a cognitive or an emotional experience that occurs when a person realizes or believes—accurately or not—that he or she has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that...
regarding the behavior of the abuser, and The Traditions
Twelve Traditions
The Twelve Traditions of twelve-step programs provide guidelines for relationships between the twelve-step groups, members, other groups, the global fellowship, and society at large. Questions of finance, public relations, donations, and purpose are addressed in the Traditions...
protecting anonymity which allow members to reduce potential stigma acquired from membership.
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.
See also
- Al-Anon/AlateenAl-Anon/AlateenAl-Anon/Alateen, known as Al-Anon Family Groups, is an international "fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholicswho share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems." They "help families of alcoholics by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving...
- Co-Dependents AnonymousCo-Dependents AnonymousCo-Dependents Anonymous is a twelve-step program for people who share a common desire to develop functional and healthy relationships. CoDA was founded in 1986 in Phoenix, Arizona...
- List of twelve-step groups
- Nar-AnonNar-AnonNar-Anon is a twelve-step program for friends and family members of drug addicts. Nar-Anon is complementary to, but separate from, Narcotics Anonymous , analogous to Al-Anon with respect to Alcoholics Anonymous; Nar-Anon's traditions state that it should "always cooperate with Narcotics Anonymous."...