Religiosity and participation in mutual-aid support groups for addiction

Abstract

Mutual-aid support groups play a vital role in substance abuse treatment in the United States. A national survey of mutual-aid support groups for addiction was conducted to identify key differences between participants in recovery groups. Survey data indicate that active involvement in support groups significantly improves one's chances of remaining clean and sober, regardless of the group in which one participates. Respondents whose individual beliefs better matched those of their primary support groups showed greater levels of group participation, resulting in better outcomes as measured by increased number of days clean and sober. Religious respondents were more likely to participate in 12-step groups and Women for Sobriety. Nonreligious respondents were significantly less likely to participate in 12-step groups. Religiosity had little impact on SMART Recovery participation but actually decreased participation in Secular Organizations for Sobriety. These results have important implications for treatment planning and matching individuals to appropriate support groups.

Spiritus contra Spiritum: Including Spirituality in Addiction Treatments for Recovery, a Systematic Review

“…While most of studies reviewed shown positive findings towards our hypothesis, the national survey conducted by Atkins and Hawdon [69] in their OLS regression where they explored the factors influencing recovery, religiosity or belief in a Higher Power, were found not significant (see Table 2.2). On the other hand the regression calculated for predicting program participation in mutual-aid support group, showed religiosity as a significant predictor for program participation, but it is recommended to take into account that in the survey there were more spiritual-related support groups than secular groups, which may be a source of bias when they interpreted these results.…”

“…For instance, samples tend to be big for this type of design; Atkins & Hawdon [69] performed a national survey in UUEE of mutual-aid support groups for addiction with 822 participants in different recovery groups, spirituality (AA, NA, WFS) and non-spirituality related (SMART & SOS). The main characteristics of the survey show a high percentage of white ethnicity participants followed by a considerable amount of female gender predominance (see Table 2.2), probably due to the inclusion of support groups like WFS which is a gender oriented support group with spiritual dimensions.…”

“…Contrary to the rest of the cross-sectional studies, Brush and McGee [72] did not take any measurement for quantifying substance use or treatment attendance, but all participants were homeless in recovery from substance addiction, whereas others measured sobriety, addiction severity and program participation [69,70] or focused in positive mental health outcomes [71].…”

“…The exception was observed at Atkins and Hawdon [69], who used 15 self-constructed items with religiosity and belief in Higher Power factors.…”

Recovery Spirituality

“…Mutual relationships involve not the giving or getting of competition, nor even the "giving and getting" of cooperation, but a very real and genuine giving by getting, getting by giving [126,127]. This, then, is a very special and even unique kind of between-ness.…”