Sobriety versus abstinence. How 12-stepper negotiate long-term recovery across groups

Helm, Paula

doi:10.1080/16066359.2018.1530348

Cited by 14 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Being "committed to change" denotes that recovery is a top priority and implies a strong desire (Kelly and Greene 2014). Furthermore, in this context, 'sobriety' is broader than abstinence and more consistent with the concept of recovery as described above (Helm 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Are members of mutual aid groups better equipped for addiction recovery? European cross-sectional study into recovery capital, social networks, and commitment to sobriety

Martinelli

Mheen

Best

et al. 2020

Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy

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An increasing body of evidence shows that informal mutual aid groups benefit those in addiction recovery. However, attention for mutual aid groups in practice and policy varies internationally and is only recently emerging in continental Europe. Existing evidence is mostly limited to studies of Alcoholics Anonymous groups in the United States. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between membership of a variety of mutual aid groups and recovery capital, participation in social networks and commitment to sobriety for individuals in drug addiction recovery (N=367), living in the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium. A convenience sample of participants completed an extensive assessment about their recovery experiences. 69% of participants reported lifetime (ever) membership of different mutual aid groups. Analyses reveal that membership of mutual aid groups is strongly associated with more participation and (self-reported) changes in social networks, greater levels of recovery capital, and a stronger commitment to sobriety. The findings suggest that participation in mutual aid groups may support addiction recovery through multiple mechanisms of change in favor of recovery. These findings highlight how mutual aid support may complement formal addiction treatment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Are members of mutual aid groups better equipped for addiction recovery? European cross-sectional study into recovery capital, social networks, and commitment to sobriety

Martinelli

Mheen

Best

et al. 2020

Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy

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show abstract

“…Additionally, abstinence is not the same as sobriety. Abstinence exclusively refers to the symptoms of the disease, while sobriety is something deeper, manifesting in emotional and mental dimensions (Helm 2019).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indirect Relationship between Alcoholics Anonymous Spirituality and Their Hopelessness: The Role of Meaning in Life, Hope, and Abstinence Duration

Wnuk

2021

Religions

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Spiritual growth is a significant factor in Alcoholics Anonymous treatment process. In the literature, there is an observable lack of research regarding spiritual mechanisms of recovery in alcohol addicted individuals who are participants of self-help groups. The study purpose was to examine the potential mechanisms indirectly influencing participants of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and to determine the effects of spiritual experiences on their feelings of hopelessness through finding meaning in life, improving hope, and longer abstinence duration. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. Participants were AA meeting attenders from Poland. According to the obtained results, the relationship between spiritual experiences and feelings of hopelessness was indirect through meaning in life, hope, and abstinence duration. Additionally, the moderated mediation effect was positively verified. Meaning in life moderated the relationship between hope and feelings of hopelessness. In a group of AA participants with less-than-average and average levels of meaning in life, hope protected against feelings of hopelessness. Among AA participants with higher-than-average meaning in life, hope was not related to their depression symptoms. The spiritual mechanisms, which led to reduced feelings of hopelessness among AA participants, and the role of meaning in life, hope, and duration of abstinence were confirmed.

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“…By contrast, in this study, we applied a strengths-based approach and a long-term recovery-oriented framework, which emphasize the need to holistically take care of a person's well-being to build their recovery capital ( Laudet et al., 2006 ; White & Kurtz, 2005 ). Such an approach is consistent with the assumptions of self-help groups based on the twelve-step program, which recognize and acknowledge the role of subjective well-being in the recovery process, not merely by defining recovery as maintaining abstinence but rather by treating it as a long-term process of transforming one's whole life, including spiritual restoration, finding meaning in life, and cherishing values ( Helm, 2019 ). The need to expand the overarching recovery goal beyond abstinence to encompass personal change and improvements in quality of life is also emphasized by the members of self-help groups for CSBD ( Fernandez et al., 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 76%

Involvement in Sexaholics Anonymous and life satisfaction: The mediating role of meaning in life and hope

Wnuk

Charzyńska

2022

JBA

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Background and aims Some people are preoccupied with their sexual urges and fantasies and lose control over their sexual behaviors, which can cause adverse consequences for their health and well-being. One of the options available for individuals seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD) is a self-help group based on the twelve-step program. The main purpose of the current study was to examine the direct and indirect (through meaning in life and hope) relationships between involvement in Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) and life satisfaction. Methods The sample consisted of 80 Polish members of SA (72 men and 8 women) with a mean age of 38.96 years (SD = 10.56). The Sex Addiction Screening Test-Revised, the Meaning of Life Questionnaire, the Herth Hope Index, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and items adapted from the Alcoholics Anonymous Involvement Scale were used to measure the study variables. Results Path analysis showed a direct positive relationship between SA involvement and life satisfaction. Moreover, the relationship between these variables was mediated by the presence of meaning in life and hope. Simultaneously, more severe symptoms of CSBD were related to lower levels of the presence of meaning in life and higher levels of the search for meaning in life, which, in turn, predicted lower levels of life satisfaction. Discussion and conclusions The results suggest that finding meaning in life and restoring hope partly underlie the relationship between SA involvement and life satisfaction.

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Sobriety versus abstinence. How 12-stepper negotiate long-term recovery across groups

Cited by 14 publications

References 23 publications

Are members of mutual aid groups better equipped for addiction recovery? European cross-sectional study into recovery capital, social networks, and commitment to sobriety

Are members of mutual aid groups better equipped for addiction recovery? European cross-sectional study into recovery capital, social networks, and commitment to sobriety

Indirect Relationship between Alcoholics Anonymous Spirituality and Their Hopelessness: The Role of Meaning in Life, Hope, and Abstinence Duration

Involvement in Sexaholics Anonymous and life satisfaction: The mediating role of meaning in life and hope

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