The Impact of Alcoholics Anonymous on Other Substance Abuse-Related Twelve-Step Programs

Abstract

This chapter explores the influence of the AA model on self-help fellowships addressing problems of drug dependence. Fellowships that have adapted the 12-step recovery model to other substances of abuse are reviewed; next similarities and differences between AA and drug-recovery 12-step organizations are examined; finally, we present empirical findings on patterns of attendance and perceptions of AA and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) among polydrug dependent populations, many of whom are cross-addicted to alcohol. Future directions in 12-step research are noted in closing.

Obstacles to 12-step group participation as seen by addiction professionals: Comparing Norway to the United States

“…Thus, psychiatric comorbidity cannot be dismissed as a factor that inhibits full 12-step participation. In the United States, this complexity has led to the establishment of alternative TSGs for dualdiagnosis patients (Laudet, 2008). Such groups currently do not exist in Norway, so for the time being, comorbid patients have to rely on the ordinary TSGs.…”

Do 12-step meeting attendance trajectories over 9 years predict abstinence?

“…Likewise, NA and CA fellowships, which were granted AA’s permission to use the AA steps and traditions in 1953, take a similar stance (Laudet, 2008). Meetings often end with “keep coming back,” and AA folklore has it that those who do not keep coming back are the ones who will start drinking again.…”

“…Comparable NA membership data on years of being drug free are very similar (Narcotics Anonymous World Services, 2010). See (Kaskutas, Ye, Greenfield, Witbrodt, & Bond, 2008; Laudet, 2008) for a related reviews.…”

Educação Em Saúde Com Pessoas Usuárias De Álcool E Outras Drogas

“…Evidências indicam que o uso de drogas é baixo entre indivíduos com práticas religiosas regulares (22) . Para as citações do NA, é importante ressaltar que as discussões científicas frequentemente são feitas lembrando-se também dos grupos de Alcoólicos Anônimos (AA) (3,(22)(23)(24) . Trata-se de grupos de autoajuda na recuperação de pessoas, com fundamento no programa dos 12 passos no auxílio à recuperação.…”

“…Trata-se de grupos de autoajuda na recuperação de pessoas, com fundamento no programa dos 12 passos no auxílio à recuperação. Autores referem que a espiritualidade é o principal elemento no tratamento, no qual os usuários são induzidos a confiarem em um poder superior que os conduz ao sentimento de negação da recaída, muito efetivo em diversos grupos, sobretudo em mulheres, adolescentes e moradores urbanos (23)(24) .…”