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Based on a recent nationwide survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a report reveals that 5 million people participate in self-help groups each year. (That is a lot of people who need help!)

Among the report’s notable findings:

• An annual average of 5 million persons aged 12 or older attended a self-help group in the past year because of their use of alcohol or illicit drugs

• 45.3 percent attended a group because of their alcohol use only and 21.8 percent attended a group because of their illicit drug use only, while 33.0 percent attended a group because of their use of both alcohol and illicit drugs

• 45.1 percent of past year self-help group participants did not use alcohol or illicit drugs in the past month

• Almost one third (32.7 percent) of individuals who attended a self-help group for their substance use during the past year also received specialty treatment for substance abuse in the past year. Specialty treatment refers to substance abuse treatment received at a hospital as an inpatient, at a rehabilitation facility (either 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,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. “Self-help groups often are used in conjunction with specialty treatment and to support individuals seeking help or sustaining their recovery.”

This report focused on questions asked of persons aged 12 and older about their participation in a self-help group for substance use (i.e., alcohol use, illicit drug use, or both).

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