Facilitating involvement in twelve-step programs.

Twelve-step programs represent a readily available resource for individuals with substance use disorders. These programs have demonstrated considerable effectiveness in helping substance abusers achieve and maintain abstinence and improve their overall psychosocial functioning and recovery. Despite these positive benefits associated with increased involvement in twelve-step self-help programs, many substance abusers do not affiliate or do so for only a short period of time before dropping out. Because of this, clinicians and researchers have sought ways to increase involvement in such self-help groups by facilitating meeting attendance and engagement in other twelve-step activities.

Ancillary to protocol CTN-0031 (“Stimulant Abuser Groups to Engage in 12-Step (STAGE-12): Evaluation of a Combined Individual-Group Intervention to Reduce Stimulant and Other Drug Use by Increasing 12-Step Involvement”), this article reviews the impact of treatment program involvement, subsequent meeting attendance, engagement in twelve-step activities, and alcohol and drug use. The findings of studies evaluating these approaches indicate that it is possible to increase twelve-step involvement and that doing so results in reduced substance use. The results suggest that incorporating these evidence-based interventions into standard treatment programs may lead to improved outcomes.

Related protocols: CTN-0031