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Alexandre Laudet, PhD, Center for the Study of Addictions and Recovery, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010, 1-212-845-4520, Laudet@ndri.org and Virginia Stanick, PhD, CSW, Center for the Study of Addictions and Recovery, National Development and Research Insitutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd street, 8th floor, New York City, NY 10010.
Substance users are routinely encouraged to attend 12-step meetings both during and after treatment , and there is growing evidence that 12-step participation promotes recovery. Regrettably, some substance users do not attend and many drop out early. Although NA and AA are based on the same recovery program, there is anectodal evidence that the ecology of the two fellowships differs; this may influence engagement and retention. Little is known about drug users’ perceptions of AA and NA although these issues have important implications (e.g., client education, referral practices). We explore these questions among polysubstance users newly admitted to outpatient treatments in NYC. In preliminary data (N = 62), 81% had attended NA, 36% AA. Most cited reason for no previous attendance: didn’t need it/don’t have a problem (60%). NA was rated as significantly more helpful than AA; greater dependence severity was associated with greater likelihood to have attended NA but negatively associated with NA helpfulness. Of those who had attended NA, 81% had quit going at least once for a month or longer. Reasons for quitting: relapsed (27%), in denial/not ready (18%), left program where groups were held (18%). Benefits of NA: strength/ motivation for recovery (37%), insight/ feedback (17%). Dislikes about NA: members too materialistic/hypocrites (17%), ‘war stories' glorify drug use (15%), too real/triggers cravings (11%); 41% had no dislikes. rated helpfulness, benefits and disliked aspects of NA and AA are compared for the full sample and by gender, race, severity and ‘drug of choice’ subgroups; implications for referrals are presented.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives
Keywords: Substance Abuse, Treatment Adherence
Related Web page: www.ndri.org/ctrs/cstar.html
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Funded by National Institutes on Drug Abuse Grant R01 DA015133
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.