support

Self-Help And Support Group Information

Adult Support Groups-Why do we need them...

The need for support groups does not need to be established or defended here. I'm sure we are all aware of such successful groups as Alcoholics Anonymous, or Death and Dying support groups, or one of the many different types that exist today. We have benefited tremendously from our own support group "A.S.K. about ADD" and know of the contribution it has made in our lives.

The concept of an "Adults Only" group occurred to us shortly after we had begun our group in 1991. What we have discovered is that the needs of adults are unique and much better addressed in an adults only environment for the various reasons.

• The motivation of adults is very different from that of children.
• Adults have years of habits and patterns that work against them.
• Adults have a history of measurable failures which can be successfully used to design a program of improvement and set their new goals.
• Adults have responsibilities for others that serve to both push and motivate them to take an active role in gaining control of their lives.
• Adults can be actively involved with the diagnostic aspects and the treatment aspects of their lives.
• Adults can have access to a large amount of educational information available about ADD and related conditions.
• Adults need to hear the straight scoop about ADD from other adults, with out having it modified, watered down or its impact lessened by anyone to "soften" the information.
• We are in a position to gather information, make decisions and implement a program of self-improvement over which we have control and responsibility. Children do not.
• Many of our issues are of an adult nature involving work-related, or relationship-related topics that are not necessarily appropriate to discuss around children.

As a result of these and many other issues, we have come to the certain and absolute understanding that for most of us, adults only support groups give us the best opportunity to get control of our lives, and experience some success in coping with our ADD patterns and habits.

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We invite you to join us in this quest. At present we know of approximately 50 adult support groups in the USA and would like to see that number grow. We suspect at least 4 million adults to be affected with ADD or a related condition.

Our limited numbers of 50 support groups, needs to grow and expand greatly if we are to help these adults. We know from personal experience that as ADD-affected adults we can obtain a high level of success and personal satisfaction in our lives.

We deserve this success and adult support groups is one of our most successful techniques in obtaining this goal.

"Remember, to be successful, keep it simple, focused and honest".

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