There are two types of supports groups. The first is a self-help group. This group is facilitated by its members. The second is a professionally operated group, which is developed by social workers or psychologists paid and trained to help people cope.
Support groups focus on a variety of issues, including AIDS, mood disorders and being formerly gay.
Members can exchange email, write on website bulletin boards and employ additional means to stay connected with other people who share the same problems through online support groups.
Maintaining contact with the support group is extremely important for its members. Sometimes they have weekly meetings, and sometimes they chat on the telephone.
Twelve steps are used to overcome addictive, behavioral and abusive characteristics. All support groups have a 12-step program that assists ex-users and abusers to recover successfully. Groups formulated around the steps include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Cocaine Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous, Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous and Crystal Meth Anonymous.