Mutual-Help Groups for People With Co-Occurring Disorders

This article gives an overview of the development of mutual-help groups for addictive disorders, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders. It highlights the history and current status of each type of group, discusses some alternatives to 12-step programs, and describes current challenges and dilemmas. It reports on the limited research on groups for co-occurring disorders and highlights the research in the other areas. It also reviews some of the interventions designed to facilitate the use of mutual-help groups, including groups for individuals with severe mental illness.