title: Friends, family, and alcohol abuse: an examination of general and alcohol-specific social support.
abstract: Social support may be considered from several different dimensions. While general social support promotes well-being, specific social support is tied to particular functions, such as alcohol use. Not only may the form of social support vary, but also the source (ie, friends vs. family). This study investigated the impact of general and specific support for alcohol use from family versus friends on alcohol use among 897 U.S. residents of abstinent communal-living settings (Oxford Houses). Results indicated that general support from friends and length of stay in Oxford House significantly predicted less alcohol use. Implications for alcohol recovery are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Research, DePaul University, 900 W. Fullerton Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614, USA. dgroh@depaul.edu
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Groh
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Jason
authors.forename: Margaret I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Bradley D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012944:Social Support; D013695:Temperance