Families Anonymous: Support Group for Families in Recovery

What is Families Anonymous (FA)?

Families Anonymous (FA) is a support group designed for family and friends of people with drug, alcohol, or other behavioral addictions. FA utilizes the 12 steps and operates as an anonymous group for people who wish to receive support.

Drug and alcohol use disorders and other behavioral addictions and issues, such as gambling, sex, and pornography addictions, can cause negative consequences in the lives of those who experience them and those close to them.^[1]

People who are concerned about a suspected, past, or current addiction or behavioral issue can attend FA for education and support in a community of people with similar experiences.

FA began in 1971 in California and was formed by a group of parents whose children were experiencing drug and alcohol use issues. Since then, FA has expanded across the United States and multiple countries and invites any family members or friends to attend who are concerned about a loved one.^[2]

How Families Anonymous works

Families Anonymous hosts meetings in many locations across the US, which can be attended in person. Additionally, they offer virtual meetings that can be accessed through video calls or email. Typically, meetings are held once a week.

FA utilizes the principles of the Twelve Steps, which are also used within various other support groups, including Alcoholics Anonymous. These steps include spiritual language, although they do not refer to any one specific religion. The steps act as a guide for individuals to make changes within their lives and to accept themselves and others.

Meetings are led by members of the group, who are encouraged to each take a turn in leading a meeting. Each meeting follows a similar structure, which involves: ^[3]

• The group leader makes an introduction and welcomes everyone to the meeting.
• They ask if there are any new attendees.
• Each person around the group makes individual introductions by first name only.
• The purpose and structure of the group are explained and attendees are reminded of confidentiality requirements.
• The basic principles of FA are read aloud, including the Four Destructive Forces and the Twelve Steps.
• Group discussions are often centered around a topic found in the FA literature, such as one of the steps or a reading from Today A Better Way.
• Anyone who has not spoken is asked if they would like to share anything.
• Donation baskets are passed around.
• The group recites the Serenity Prayer.

More information about the content and structure of meetings can be found on the Families Anonymous website, including a suggested meeting format, the Four Destructive Forces, and the FA Twelve Steps.

Benefits of Families Anonymous

Families Anonymous can provide numerous benefits, including:

• Helping people to learn new ways to support their loved one with an addiction
• Allowing people to access a safe space to express their emotions without judgment
• Enabling discussions about personal experiences, helping people to feel validated and understood
• Providing advice and empathy
• Helping people to feel less alone by becoming part of a community with shared experiences
• Educating people about addiction
• Helping people learn how to set healthy boundaries and avoid enabling their loved one’s addiction

Who should join Families Anonymous?

Families Anonymous could be a suitable option for anyone who has a family member, friend, or loved one with a current or past addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or sex or has other addictive or behavioral issues.

In particular, people should join if they are struggling to manage their current situation for any reason, such as feeling overwhelmed emotionally by their loved one’s addiction or feeling unsure of how to communicate with or support their loved one.

FA and the 12 steps involve spiritual language but do not permit discussions focused on a specific religion (to minimize the potential for disagreement and negative interactions). As such, someone who wants to attend a religious support group may prefer to search for an alternative.

Alternatives and additional support for families

Other family support groups include:

• Al-Anon: Also based on the 12 steps but specifically regarding alcohol use and addiction
• Nar-Anon: Based on the 12 steps for families affected by a loved one’s drug use
• SMART Recovery Family & Friends: Science-based family support
• Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL): Designed for parents with adult children with substance use issues
• Celebrate Recovery: Christian support group for people with addictions and their families

Finding Families Anonymous meetings

FA holds in-person meetings all over the US, so it is likely that most people will be able to access meetings in their area. Details of these meetings can be found on the Families Anonymous website. Additionally, for those who cannot or do not want to attend in-person meetings, the website provides details of online meetings and how to attend.