Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Support Group?Finding Local Support GroupsHow to Join a Support GroupWhat to Expect

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is a Support Group?

Finding Local Support Groups

How to Join a Support Group

What to Expect

Are you wondering where to find support groups near you? Many support groups offer local chapters in locations all over the U.S., but there are also online options to consider as well.

This article discusses the purpose and benefits of a support group and what you can expect. It also covers where to look for different support groups based on your needs.

There are common misconceptions about support groups—including about what they can and cannot do.

A support group can be defined as a group of people who share concerns or experiences. These groups meet regularly to provide each other with advice, comfort, and encouragement.

While support groups can be important in the recovery process, they are not meant to provide treatment. Instead, their focus is on providing peer support, allowing members to share their stories, celebrate each other’s successes, and talk about coping strategies that may help.

Benefits of Support Groups

Family and friends are still an important source of support for people in recovery, but they aren’t always able to understand what the person might be going through.

Research has found that support groups help improve understanding and well-being while also lowering anxiety and depression.Other studies have shown that support groups can help improve treatment outcomes and decrease relapse rates for those with substance use disorders.

RecapSupport groups can offer inspiration and strength. They are not meant to provide or replace treatment, but they can help complement professional treatment during your recovery.

Recap

Support groups can offer inspiration and strength. They are not meant to provide or replace treatment, but they can help complement professional treatment during your recovery.

Tips for Finding Support Groups Near Me

The first step in finding a support group near you is often to talk to your primary care physician or mental health professional. They are often the best place to start when looking for a local support group.

You can also search for a local meeting via the websites of the various support groups. Many support group websites have directories listing local chapters.

Apps for Finding Meetings

Some organizations have apps you can use to find meetings. Some apps that allow people to find meetings in their area include:

Some databases are detailed and allow you to see which meetings are for newcomers or are wheelchair-accessible, non-smoking, orLGBTQ+-friendly, among other characteristics. Other pages are less detailed and may only have phone numbers or listings for you to contact the meeting organizers.

The following is a list of official mutual support group websites and meeting listings. If you cannot locate a face-to-face (in-person) meeting near you, there are manyonline meetingsavailable.

Increased Online OfferingsMany organizations put their in-person meetings on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, instead offering virtual meetings, phone calls, and emails. Many organizations have returned to in-person meetings post-pandemic, but online options are often still available. Contact organizers to get the most updated information on offerings and locations.

Increased Online Offerings

Many organizations put their in-person meetings on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, instead offering virtual meetings, phone calls, and emails. Many organizations have returned to in-person meetings post-pandemic, but online options are often still available. Contact organizers to get the most updated information on offerings and locations.

Mental Health and Addiction Support During COVID-19

Alcohol, Drug, Prescription Medication Misuse

These groups include12-step groupsand those with other philosophies, as noted:

Sex Addiction, Disordered Relationships, and Abuse

Support groups for sex addiction, disordered relationships, and abuse include:

Best Domestic Violence Support Groups

Support groups for problematic food-related behavior include:

Best Eating Disorder Support Groups

Emotional and Mental Health Recovery

Support groups for emotional and mental health recovery include:

Best Online Anxiety Support Groups of 2024

Financial and Acquisition Problem Behavior

Support groups for financial and acquisition problem behavior include:

For Families and Codependents

These meetings are for those who have relatives and friends with addictions and problem behaviors. In addition to these groups, there are often links to family recovery groups for specific addictions or behaviors on the sites for the programs dedicated to them.

That said, there are “open” meetings for members and non-members andclosed meetingsfor members and prospective members only.

Depending on the type of meeting, you might come across some of the following codes that indicate a more exclusive support group or additional services offered:

What to Expect From Support Groups

Once you’ve found a support group near you, it can be helpful to learn more about what you might expect form your first meeting.

If you or a family member is dealing with anaddictionormental health disorder, a support group near you may be the ideal place for them to feel less isolated and to learn from others with similar problems and shared experiences.

If you are anxious about your first meetings with your support group, you might find it helpful to ask a family member or friend to attend with you. Some important things to remember:

Remember that support groups are what you make of them. If you are willing to be open and honest and a good listener who supports fellow members, you will get a lot out of your group, including hope and motivation for a healthier you.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health condition, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health condition, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hu A.Reflections: The value of patient support groups.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;156(4):587-588. doi:10.1177/0194599817697030Magnani D, Lenoci G, Balduzzi S, Artioli G, Ferri P.Effectiveness of support groups to improve the quality of life of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis a pre-post test pilot study.Acta Biomed. 2017;88(5S):5-12. doi:10.23750/abm.v88i5-S.6870Tracy K, Wallace SP.Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction.Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2016;7:143-154. doi:10.2147/SAR.S81535Additional ReadingSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hu A.Reflections: The value of patient support groups.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;156(4):587-588. doi:10.1177/0194599817697030Magnani D, Lenoci G, Balduzzi S, Artioli G, Ferri P.Effectiveness of support groups to improve the quality of life of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis a pre-post test pilot study.Acta Biomed. 2017;88(5S):5-12. doi:10.23750/abm.v88i5-S.6870Tracy K, Wallace SP.Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction.Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2016;7:143-154. doi:10.2147/SAR.S81535Additional ReadingSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hu A.Reflections: The value of patient support groups.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;156(4):587-588. doi:10.1177/0194599817697030Magnani D, Lenoci G, Balduzzi S, Artioli G, Ferri P.Effectiveness of support groups to improve the quality of life of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis a pre-post test pilot study.Acta Biomed. 2017;88(5S):5-12. doi:10.23750/abm.v88i5-S.6870Tracy K, Wallace SP.Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction.Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2016;7:143-154. doi:10.2147/SAR.S81535

Hu A.Reflections: The value of patient support groups.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;156(4):587-588. doi:10.1177/0194599817697030

Magnani D, Lenoci G, Balduzzi S, Artioli G, Ferri P.Effectiveness of support groups to improve the quality of life of people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis a pre-post test pilot study.Acta Biomed. 2017;88(5S):5-12. doi:10.23750/abm.v88i5-S.6870

Tracy K, Wallace SP.Benefits of peer support groups in the treatment of addiction.Subst Abuse Rehabil. 2016;7:143-154. doi:10.2147/SAR.S81535

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.

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