Skip to main content

How and Why Twelve-Step Self-Help Groups Are Effective

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Recent Developments in Alcoholism ((RDIA,volume 18))

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bickel, W. K., & Vuchinich, R. E. (Eds.). (2000). Reframing health behavior change with behavior economics. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogenschutz, M. P., Tonigan, J. S., & Miller, W. R. (2006). Examining the effects of alcoholism typology and A.A. attendance on self-efficacy as a mechanism of change. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 67, 562–567.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bond, J., Kaskutas, L. A., & Weisner, C. (2003). The persistent influence of social networks and Alcoholics Anonymous on abstinence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 64, 579–588.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carrico, A. W., Gifford, E. V., & Moos, R. (2007). Spirituality/religiosity promotes acceptance-based responding and twelve-step involvement. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 89, 66–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chung, T., Langenbucher, J., Labouvie, E., Pandina, R., & Moos, R. (2001). Changes in alcoholic patients’ coping responses predict l2-month treatment outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69, 92–100.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cloud, R. N., Ziegler, C. H., & Blondell, R. D. (2004). What is Alcoholics Anonymous affiliation? Substance Use and Misuse, 39, 1117–1136.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Connors, G. J., Tonigan, J. S., & Miller, W. R. (2001). A longitudinal model of intake symptomatology, A.A. participation, and outcome: Retrospective study of the project MATCH outpatient and aftercare samples. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62, 817–825.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Crape, B. L., Latkin, C. A., Laris, A. S., & Knowlton, A. R. (2002). The effects of sponsorship in 12-step treatment of injection drug users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 65, 291–301.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, D. A., Grant, B. F., Stinson, F. S., & Chou, P. S. (2006). Estimating the effect of help-seeking on achieving recovery from alcohol dependence. Addiction, 101, 824–834.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Etheridge, R. M., Craddock, S. G., Hubbard, R. L., & Rounds-Bryant, J. L. (1999). The relationship of counseling and self-help participation to patient outcomes in DATOS. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 57, 99–112.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Finney, J. W., Noyes, C., Coutts, A., & Moos, R., (1998). Evaluating substance abuse treatment process models: I. Changes on proximal outcome variables during 12-step and cognitive behavioral treatment. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 59, 371–380.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Finney, J., Wilbourne, P., & Moos, R. (2007). Psychosocial treatments for substance use disorders. In P. E. Nathan, & J. M. Gorman (Eds.), A guide to treatments that work (3rd ed., pp. 179–202). New York: Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiorentine, R. (1999). After drug treatment: Are 12-step programs effective in maintaining abstinence? American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 25, 93–116.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fiorentine, R., & Hillhouse, M. P. (2000a). Drug treatment and 12-step program participation: The additive effects of integrated recovery activities. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 18, 65–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiorentine, R., & Hillhouse, M. P. (2000b). Exploring the additive effects of drug misuse treatment and Twelve-Step involvement: Does Twelve-Step ideology matter? Substance Use & Misuse, 35, 367–397.

    Google Scholar 

  • Granfield, R., & Cloud, W. (1996). The elephant that no one sees: Natural recovery among middle-class addicts. Journal of Drug Issues, 26, 45–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirschi, T., 1969. Causes of delinquency. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, K., Finney, J. W., & Moos, R. (1994). Applying a stress and coping perspective to research on mutual help organizations. Journal of Community Psychology, 22, 312–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, K., Huebsch, P., Finney, J., & Moos, R. (1999). A comparative evaluation of substance abuse treatment: V. Substance abuse treatment can enhance the effectiveness of self-help groups. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 23, 558–563.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, K., Mankowski, E., Moos, R. & Finney, J. (1999). Enhanced friendship networks and active coping mediate the effect of self-help groups on substance abuse. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 21, 54–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, K., & Noke, J. M. (1997). The influence of posttreatment mutual help group participation on the friendship networks of substance abuse patients. American Journal of Community Psychology, 25, 1–16.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H. B. (1996). Psychosocial stress from the perspective of self theory. In H. Kaplan (Ed.), Psychosocial stress: Perspectives on structure, theory, life course and methods (pp. 175–244). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaskutas, L. A. (1994). What do women get out of self-help? Their reasons for attending Women for Sobriety and Alcoholics Anonymous. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 11, 185–195.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaskutas, L. A., Ammon, L., Delucchi, K., Room, R., Bond, J., & Weisner, C. (2005). Alcoholics Anonymous careers: Patterns of A.A. involvement five years after treatment entry. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 29, 1983–1990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J., McKellar, J. D., & Moos, R. (2003). Major depression in patients with substance use disorders: Relationships to 12-step self-help involvement and substance use outcomes. Addiction, 98, 499–508.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J., & Moos, R. (2003). Dropout from 12-step self-help groups: Prevalence, predictors, and counteracting treatment-related effects. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 24, 241–250.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kissin, W., McLeod, C., & McKay, J. (2003). The longitudinal relationship between self-help group attendance and course of recovery. Evaluation and Program Planning, 26, 311–323.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laudet, A. B. (2003). Attitudes and beliefs about 12-step groups among addiction treatment clients and clinicians: Toward identifying obstacles to participation. Substance Use and Misuse, 38, 2017–2047.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laudet, A. B., Cleland, C. M., Magura, S., Vogel, H. S., & Knight, E. L. (2004). Social support mediates the effects of dual-focus mutual aid groups on abstinence from substance use. American Journal of Community Psychology, 34, 175–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lebow, J., Kelly, J., Knobloch-Fedders, L., & Moos, R., (2006). Relationship factors in treating substance use disorders. In L. B. Castonguay, & L. E. Beutler (Eds.), Principles of therapeutic change that work (pp. 293–317). New York: Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Longabaugh, R., Wirtz, P. W., Zweben, A., & Stout, R. (2001). Network support for drinking. In R. Longabaugh, & P. W. Wirtz (Eds.), Project MATCH: Hypotheses, results, and causal chain analyses (pp. 260–275). Rockville, MD: NIH. (Publication No. 01-4238).

    Google Scholar 

  • Luborsky, L., McLellan, A. T., Woody, G. E., O’Brien, C. P., & Auerbach, A., (1985). Therapist success and its determinants. Archives of General Psychiatry, 42, 602–611.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Magura, S. (2007). The relationship between substance user treatment and 12-step fellowships: Current knowledge and research questions. Substance Use and Misuse, 42, 343–360.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Magura, S., Laudet, A. B., Mahmood, D., Rosenblum, A., Vogel, H. S., & Knight, E. L. (2003). Role of self-help processes in achieving abstinence among dually diagnosed persons. Addictive Behaviors, 28, 399–413.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maisto, S. A., Carey, K. B., & Bradizza, C. M. (1999). Social learning theory. In K. E. Leonard, & H. T. Blane (Eds.), Psychological theories of drinking and alcoholism (2 nd ed., pp. 106–163). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mankowski, E., Humphreys, K., & Moos, R. (2001). Individual and contextual predictors of involvement in twelve-step self-help groups after substance abuse treatment. American Journal of Community Psychology, 29, 537–563.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McCrady, B. S., & Nathan, P. E., (2006). Treatment factors in treating substance use disorders. In L. B. Castonguay, & L. E. Beutler (Eds.), Principles of therapeutic change that work (pp. 319–340). New York: Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKay, J. R., Foltz, C., Stephens, R. C., Leahy, P. J., Crowley, E. M., & Kissin, W. (2005). Predictors of alcohol and crack cocaine use outcomes over a 3-year follow-up in treatment seekers. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 28(Supplement 1), S73–S82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKay, J. R., Merikle, E., Mulvaney, F. D., Weiss, R. V., & Koppenhaver, J. M. (2001). Factors accounting for cocaine two years following initiation of continuing care. Addiction, 96, 213–225.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change (2 nd ed.). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moggi, F., Ouimette, P., Finney, J., & Moos, R. (1999). Dual diagnosis patients in substance abuse treatment: Relationships among general coping and substance –specific coping and one-year outcomes. Addiction, 94, 1805–1816.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, H. A., Miller, W. R., & Tonigan, J. S. (1993). Differences among A.A. groups: Implications for research. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 54, 502–504.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. (1994). Group Environment Scale manual (3rd ed.). Menlo Park, CA: Mind Garden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. (1997). Evaluating treatment environments: The quality of psychiatric and substance abuse programs. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. (2005). Iatrogenic effects of psychosocial interventions for substance use disorders: Prevalence, predictors, prevention. Addiction, 100, 595–604.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. (2006). Social contexts and substance use. In W. R. Miller, & K. M. Carroll (Eds.), Rethinking substance abuse: What the science shows and what we should do about it (pp. 182–200). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. (2007a). Theory-based active ingredients of effective treatments for substance use disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 88, 109–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. (2007b). Theory-based processes that promote remission of substance use disorders. Clinical Psychology Review, 27, 537–551.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., & Moos, B. (2006). Participation in treatment and Alcoholics Anonymous: A 16-year follow-up of initially untreated individuals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62, 735–750.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., & Moos, B. (2007). Protective resources and long-term recovery from alcohol use disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 86, 46–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., Moos, B., & Andrassy, J., (1999). Outcomes of four treatment approaches in community residential programs for patients with substance use disorders. Psychiatric Services, 50, 1577–1583.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., Schaefer, J., Andrassy, J., & Moos, B. (2001). Outpatient mental health care, self-help groups, and patients’ 1-year treatment outcomes. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 57, 273–287.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., & Timko, C. (2008). Outcome research on twelve-step and other self-help programs. In M. Galanter, & H. D. Kleber (Eds.), Textbook of substance abuse treatment (4th ed. pp. 511–521). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgenstern, J., Kahler, C. W., & Epstein, E. (1998). Do treatment process factors mediate the relationship between type A-type B and outcome in 12-step oriented substance abuse treatment? Addiction, 93, 1765–1776.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgenstern, J., Labouvie, E., McCrady, B. S., Kahler, C. W., & Frey, R. M. (1997). Affiliation with Alcoholics Anonymous after treatment: A study of its therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 65, 768–777.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgenstern, J., & McCrady, B. (1992). Curative factors in alcohol and drug treatment: Behavioral and disease model perspectives. British Journal of Addiction, 87, 901–912.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ouimette, P.C., Ahrens, C., Moos, R., & Finney, J. (1998). During treatment changes in substance abuse patients with posttraumatic stress disorder: Relationships to specific interventions and program environments. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 15, 555–564.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ouimette, P. C., Humphreys, K., Moos, R., Finney, J., Cronkite, R., & Federman, E. (2001). Self-help participation and functioning among substance use disorder patients with posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 20, 25–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pagano, M. E., Friend, K. B., Tonigan, J. S., & Stout, R. L. (2004). Helping other alcoholics in Alcoholics Anonymous and Drinking Outcomes: Findings from Project MATCH. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 65, 766–773.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snow, M. G., Prochaska, J. O., & Rossi, J. S. (1994). Processes of change in alcoholics anonymous: Maintenance factors in long-term sobriety. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 55, 362–371.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Timko, C., & Sempel, J. M. (2004). Intensity of acute services, self-help attendance, and one-year outcomes among dual diagnosis patients. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 65, 274–282.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tonigan, J. S., Connors, G. J., & Miller, W. R. (2003). Participation and Involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous. In T. F. Babor, & F. K. Del Boca (Eds.), Matching Alcoholism treatments to client heterogeneity: The results of Project MATCH (pp. 184–204). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, R., Griffin, M., Gallop, R., Najavits, L., & Frank, A., (2005). The effect of 12-step self-help group attendance and participation on drug use outcomes among cocaine-dependent patients. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 77, 177–184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Witbrodt, J., & Kaskutas, L. A. (2005). Does diagnosis matter? Differential effects of 12-step participation and social networks on abstinence. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 31, 685–707.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zemore, S. E., Kaskutas, L. A., & Ammon, L. N. (2004). In 12-step groups, helping helps the helper. Addiction, 99, 1015–1023.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rudolf H. Moos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Moos, R.H. (2008). How and Why Twelve-Step Self-Help Groups Are Effective. In: Kaskutas, L., Galanter, M. (eds) Recent Developments in Alcoholism. Recent Developments in Alcoholism, vol 18. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77725-2_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77725-2_22

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77724-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-77725-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics