PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Treatment Research Institute (TRI), in collaboration with Hope for Addiction, today launched The Support Group Project , a web-based resource dedicated to helping parents and family members of loved ones dealing with a substance use issue find a support group in their community.
"Despite the staggering number of parents directly affected by the addiction of an immediate family member, many families struggling with substance-related problems feel completely alone," said Kimberly Kirby, PhD, Director of the Parents Translational Research Center at TRI. "It is our goal that The Support Group Project serves as a crucial resource to families who are struggling with an adolescent or young adult's addiction."
The Support Group Project provides parents and family members with the ability to search for support group programs by zip code, even by preferred meeting date. Detailed information about each group is available and includes information such as who the group may be appropriate for; how many people typically attend the group and what additional supports the group may offer such as referrals and peer support.
"When you care for a loved one who is dealing with a substance use issue you quickly find that it's nearly impossible to find the right supportive and educational resources," said Cherylyn Marcy, Hope for Addiction. "We see The Support Group Project as a true opportunity to unite parents and families who may not even realize they share this common thread, yet they live in the same neighborhood."
The Support Group Project launch comes with a critical call-to-action for support groups nation-wide to register their group to the website. Registration is free and only requires that groups maintain up-to-date program information. In order for The Support Group Project to fulfill the needs of parents and families across America, the Treatment Research Institute and Hope for Addiction encourage communities to spread the word and help populate the site with groups.
If you host a support group, you can register your group here.
The research and the publication of this website was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
About TRI
Treatment Research Institute has been a leader in the substance use research field, with a belief that science can only be truly impactful when it is used to improve policies, programs and practices. TRI's work focuses on applying research to change behaviors, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction. Collaborations with distinguished partners from across the globe have enhanced TRI's quest to advance the way in which addiction is perceived and cared for. TRI's relentless commitment to discovering and disseminating SOLUTIONS to substance-use problems drives its work, mission and vision. Learn more about TRI at www.tresearch.org.
About Hope for Addiction
Hope for Addiction is a nonprofit foundation built through a grass roots effort to unite parents and family members whose children fought and lost their battle to the disease of addiction. Our mission is to broaden the education and awareness of this disease and its profound and long term effect on our children. Our goal is to fund scientific research studies of addiction that will allow us to expand our knowledge of addiction and discover a cure. Learn more about Hope for Addiction at www.hopeforaddiction.org . .
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