By Tom Gonzalez, PhD, LPC, LCPC

At some point, each of us has been told to “help yourself” rather than wait for someone else to help us. In traditional society, family and friends provided most of the social support individuals needed. As our modernistic society evolved, individuals and families became increasingly mobile and communities changed almost overnight. Today, churches, service-based institutions and anonymous groups of people meet to address their individual needs through self-help groups.

Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop said that self-help groups bring together two uniquely American themes – individualism and cooperation. There are various models of self-help groups. We are readily aware of Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and others.

In self-help group meetings, individuals self-disclose by sharing stories about themselves. They may discuss struggles with abuses and addictions to substances, or behaviors and choices that led them to an unacceptable point in their lives. In the self-help group meeting room, individuals often realize that they are not alone. They hear about the struggles and trials of others, some of whom have seemed to gain control over their individual problems.

A person who needs help with a drinking, drug abuse or addiction, gambling or overeating problem can quickly locate a self-help group meeting. The initial thought of attending a meeting to discuss a problem with strangers can be unnerving, but when a person does go to an initial meeting, this perception often quickly fades away.

Self-help groups have been known to provide emotional, social and practical support to individuals. In a self-help meeting, you might find that you can begin to restore your self-esteem, sense of dignity and understanding of a problem through the group’s dynamics.

If you have had a problem with a habit or an emotion that has seemed to get out of control, you might be able to “help yourself” by identifying and attending a self-help meeting. You can find help as well in a group that deals with another person’s addiction such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon.

Individuals active in self-help groups over time report that they have explored, learned about and combated the shame and stigma of the choices they made, restoring their true self and often following up by helping others. 

For more information, contact BJC EAP at 314.729.4030.