IntroductionThe treatment of substance use disorders does not only involve abstaining from drugs and alcohol, but also repairing and rebuilding the life of an addict. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are abstinence-based treatment methods. They are based on the pathological model of addiction, in which the addiction will progress if it is not threatened. In AA/NA, relapse is an expected part of recovery. By focusing on character flaws, how to make amends, and lasting changes in daily life, AA/NA strongly emphasizes spiritual development. A sponsor is a member in recovery for a longer period of time who serves as a mentor to new members and is aided by the principle that helping someone with the same problem helps them deal with their problem. However, a crucial aspect of AA/NA is anonymity. While using drugs, addicts usually experience strained relationships with their families, friends, and significant others; both those in treatment and those in recovery have difficulty rebuilding damaged relationships. The desire to belong is a biological need that has evolutionary bases and cultural universality. Such as to be satiable, the need to integrate arises in moments of perceived exclusion, but is absent when one feels one belongs. Not only is the presence of relationships consequential, but their absence can negatively affect both mental and physical health. In particular, social rejection can lead to disorders, shame and distress, reduced ability to regulate behavior, loss of impulse control and aggression (Gilovich). While some relationships are clearly impaired due to drug use, others can and are actually facilitated by use. Walfish, Massey, and Kron...... half of paper...... (2009). How do people recover from alcohol addiction? A systematic review of research on mechanisms of behavior change in Alcoholics Anonymous. Addiction Research and Treatment 17(3): 236-259.doi:10.1080/16066350902770458Sachs, K. S. (2008). Treating alcoholism as a disorder of the self: Insights from Alcoholics Anonymous and Masterson. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 21(2): 75-85. doi:10.1300/J020v21n02_05Trice, H. M., Romano, P. R. (1970). Delabeling, relabeling and Alcoholics Anonymous. SocialProblems 17: 538-546. Walfish, S., Massey, R., Krone, A. (2010). Interpersonal relationships of drug-addicted adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Chemical Dependency 1(2): 5-13.doi:10.1300/J272v01n02_02Winters, K. C., Botzet, A. M., Fahnhorst, T. (2011). Advances in the treatment of substance abuse in adolescents. Current reports on psychiatry 13: 416-421