And from the 2006 summer issue of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine Bulletin:

Mutual support has been a mainstay of recovery from addiction for the past several decades. Recovery Support Groups are facilitated in communities throughout the world by Twelve Step, other non-professional and professional organizations.

Participants with a desire to not drink, use or to engage in another addictive behavior today are welcomed to attend. The basic principles and strategies of recovery from addiction are typically discussed by small groups of those with a similar addiction issue.

A standard feature of Recovery Support Group is that participants each have personal experience with an addiction – and that no one needs to justify or explain the struggles found in their addiction. Understanding is implicit and as results from personal experience. Acceptance for another’s experience is unconditional.

Certain features of Recovery Group are similar to any other group. A start and end time is fixed. Basic rules of acceptable conduct are agreed upon. Attendance is usually on a drop in basis – but some professionally run groups will require prior registration.

A brief introduction and closing will help to orient the group. An introduction to group helps participants to shift from the business of their day and to settle into group. A formal close to group is necessary to move on from what may have been an emotionally stirring discussion.

The Recovery Support Group at our facility begins with each participant stating their first name – and indicating any topic on which they would like to talk or to hear about during group. We close with each participant saying their name again – and stating one thing in their day that they feel grateful for. A brief synopsis of group guidelines is posted for everyone to see.

The context of differing recovery programs means that Recovery Support Groups vary in their structure and process. But certain features define a successful Recovery Group – and distinguish it from other types of educational, mental health or therapy groups.

The ways of Recovery Group are grounded in the now traditional principles and strategies of recovery. As such, its characteristics and distinctions may not be fully appreciated when groups are organized by professional persons with alternate backgrounds.