Social support, group involvement, and well-being among the family and friends of problem drinkers

Challenges to the health and well-being of families of people with alcohol problems were examined in this exploratory study conducted in Melbourne, Australia. A semistructured questionnaire was developed with a group of key informants and was distributed through two mutual-aid support programs, Al-Anon and Family Drug Help. Respondents were diverse and included partners, parents, and children of problem drinkers, with a number of respondents reporting problem drinking in multiple intimates. Participants’ perceptions of the severity of participants’ problems, their well-being, and the subsequent benefits found in mutual-aid support programs suggest the need for easier access to information regarding support.