Dataset Information

Barriers to Entry into 12-Step Mutual Help Groups among Justice-Involved Women with Alcohol Use Disorders.

ABSTRACT: Although involvement in twelve step mutual help groups (TMGs) is an accessible and effective means of addressing alcohol problems, many justice-involved women do not attend. This study examined barriers to TMG attendance for 135 justice-involved women with alcohol use disorders. TMG attenders were more likely than non-attenders to say their past contacts with people in TMGs were not helpful (?2 = 4.91, p =.027); non-attenders were more likely to report that they did not want to change (?2 = 7.58, p= .006). Findings provide guidance on how to enhance interest in and attendance at TMGs among justice-involved women returning to the community.

SUBMITTER: Schonbrun YC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7518285 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Barriers to Entry into 12-Step Mutual Help Groups among Justice-Involved Women with Alcohol Use Disorders.

Schonbrun Yael Chatav YC Anderson Bradley J BJ Johnson Jennifer E JE Kurth Megan M Timko Christine C Stein Michael D MD

Alcoholism treatment quarterly 20180124 1

Although involvement in twelve step mutual help groups (TMGs) is an accessible and effective means of addressing alcohol problems, many justice-involved women do not attend. This study examined barriers to TMG attendance for 135 justice-involved women with alcohol use disorders. TMG attenders were more likely than non-attenders to say their past contacts with people in TMGs were not helpful (χ<sup>2</sup> = 4.91, p =.027); non-attenders were more likely to report that they did not want to change ...[more]

PMID: 32982031

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Project description:BackgroundMany studies suggest that participation in 12-step groups contributes to better recovery outcomes, but people often object to such groups and most do not sustain regular involvement. Yet, research on alternatives to 12-step groups is very sparse. The present study aimed to extend the knowledge base on mutual help group alternatives for those with an alcohol use disorder (AUD), sampling from large, active, abstinence-focused groups including Women for Sobriety (WFS), LifeRing, and SMART Recovery (SMART). This paper presents a cross-sectional analysis of this longitudinal study, using baseline data to describe the profile and participation characteristics of attendees of these groups in comparison to 12-step members.MethodsData from participants 18 and over with a lifetime AUD (N=651) were collected using Web-based surveys. Members of alternative 12-step groups were recruited in collaboration with group directors, who helped publicize the study by emailing meeting conveners and attendees and posting announcements on social media. A comparison group of current (past-30-day) 12-step attendees was recruited from an online meeting hub for recovering persons. Interested parties were directed to a Webpage where they were screened, and eligible participants completed an online survey assessing demographic and clinical variables; in-person and online mutual help involvement; and group satisfaction and cohesion. Analyses involved comparing those identifying WFS, SMART, and LifeRing as their primary group to 12-step members on the above characteristics.ResultsCompared to 12-step members, members of the mutual help alternatives were less religious and generally higher on education and income. WFS and LifeRing members were also older, more likely to be married, and lower on lifetime drug and psychiatric severity; meanwhile, LifeRing and SMART members were less likely to endorse the most stringent abstinence goal. Finally, despite lower levels of in-person meeting attendance, members of all the 12-step alternatives showed equivalent activity involvement and higher levels of satisfaction and cohesion, compared to 12-step members.ConclusionsResults suggest differences across 12-step groups and their alternatives that may be relevant when advising clients on a choice of mutual help group. Meanwhile, findings for high levels of participation, satisfaction, and cohesion among members of the mutual help alternatives suggest promise for these groups in addressing addiction problems.

Dataset Information

Barriers to Entry into 12-Step Mutual Help Groups among Justice-Involved Women with Alcohol Use Disorders.

Publications

Barriers to Entry into 12-Step Mutual Help Groups among Justice-Involved Women with Alcohol Use Disorders.

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