Final answer:
Alcoholics Anonymous is a well-known support group that provides a community for individuals seeking help with substance abuse disorders. It serves as a reference group, influencing members' values, norms, and behaviors to support their recovery efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alcoholics Anonymous is a particularly well-known support group. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous play a critical role in aiding individuals who are seeking help for substance abuse disorders. According to Weiss et al. (2004), group therapy for substance abuse disorders, including the type provided by Alcoholics Anonymous, is an area that has garnered significant attention and study, demonstrating the importance of such groups in recovery. Furthermore, Alcoholics Anonymous is an example of a reference group, which, as defined in the multiple-choice question, is a group whose values, norms, and beliefs come to serve as a standard for one's behavior. This type of group can be essential for people looking to make positive changes in their lives, especially for those struggling with addiction.
In historical context, groups such as the Washingtonians and organizations like the Anti-Saloon League and Mothers Against Dr-unk Drivers have shown the power of collective efforts in reform and policy changes surrounding alcohol. The Washingtonians, for instance, utilized the power of public engagement and pledges of teetotalism, although the group's popularity declined when the simple act of taking a pledge proved insufficient for long-term behavior change. Despite the rise and fall of such groups, Alcoholics Anonymous has endured for decades as a supportive community for individuals seeking sobriety and has significantly influenced the development of other similar support groups.