Service providers' perceptions of substance use self-help groups

Using a two-stage Delphi procedure, an investigation was carried out into health and welfare professionals' knowledge of and relationship with self-help groups (SHGs). Professionals indicated that they perceived SHGs to be generally helpful for persons with substance use problems. Provision of social support was the most commonly perceived helpful aspect of SHGs, and unsuitability for some clients was the most commonly perceived unhelpful-aspect. Persons motivated to address their problems were those perceived to be most likely to find a SHG useful, with those not so motivated, or who deny their problem, being perceived to be least likely to find a SHG useful. Drug and alcohol user treatment specialists reported greater perceived failure of SHGs to address underlying psychopathology and greater perceived benefit for clients lacking social support. This may be of particular relevance for future attempts to investigate the process of recovery in SHGs.