Drug addiction recovery groups are voluntary associations of people who share a common desire to overcome their
drug addiction
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use oft ...
. Different groups use different methods, ranging from completely secular to explicitly spiritual. Some programs may advocate a reduction in the use of drugs rather than outright abstention. One survey of members who found active involvement in any addiction recovery group correlates with higher chances of maintaining sobriety. Although there is not a difference in whether group or individual therapy is better for the patient, studies show that any therapy increases positive outcomes for patients with substance use disorder. The survey found group participation increased when the individual members' beliefs matched those of their primary support group (many addicts are members of multiple addiction recovery groups).
Analysis of the survey results found a
significant positive correlation between the
religiosity
In sociology, the concept of religiosity has proven difficult to define. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests: "Religiousness; religious feeling or belief. ..Affected or excessive religiousness". Different scholars have seen this concept as ...
of members and their participation in
twelve-step programs
Twelve-step programs are international mutual aid programs supporting recovery from substance addictions, behavioral addictions and compulsions. Developed in the 1930s, the first twelve-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), aided its member ...
(these programs describe themselves as ''spiritual'' rather than ''religious'') and to a lesser level in non-religious
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is an international non-profit organization that provides assistance to individuals seeking abstinence from addiction. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The SMART approach is secular and research-based, usin ...
groups, the correlation factor being three times smaller for SMART Recovery than for the twelve-step addiction recovery groups. Religiosity was inversely related to participation in
Secular Organizations for Sobriety
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS), also known as Save Our Selves, is a non-profit network of autonomous addiction recovery groups. The program stresses the need to place the highest priority on sobriety and uses mutual support to assist memb ...
.
A survey of a
cross-sectional sample of clinicians working in
outpatient
A patient is any recipient of health care services that are performed by healthcare professionals. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, nurse, optometrist, dentist, veterinarian, or other health care ...
facilities (selected from the
SAMHSA
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA; pronounced ) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is charged with improving the quality and availability of treatment and rehabilitative service ...
On-line Treatment Facility Locator) found that clinicians only referring clients to twelve-step groups were more likely than those referring their clients to twelve-step groups and "twelve-step alternatives" to believe less strongly in the effectiveness of
Cognitive Behavioral and
psychodynamic
Psychodynamics, also known as psychodynamic psychology, in its broadest sense, is an approach to psychology that emphasizes systematic study of the psychological forces underlying human behavior, feelings, and emotions and how they might relate t ...
-oriented therapy, and were likely to be unfamiliar with twelve-step alternatives. A
logistic regression
In statistics, the logistic model (or logit model) is a statistical model that models the probability of an event taking place by having the log-odds for the event be a linear function (calculus), linear combination of one or more independent var ...
of clinician's knowledge and awareness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy effectiveness and preference for the twelve-step model was correlated with referring exclusively to twelve-step groups.
Twelve-step recovery groups
Twelve-step programs are
mutual aid organizations for the purpose of recovery from substance
addiction
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use o ...
s,
behavioral addiction
Behavioral addiction is a form of addiction that involves a compulsion to engage in a rewarding non- substance-related behavior – sometimes called a natural reward – despite any negative consequences to the person's physical, mental, social o ...
s and
compulsion
Compulsion may refer to:
* Compulsive behavior, a psychological condition in which a person does a behavior compulsively, having an overwhelming feeling that they must do so.
* Obsessive–compulsive disorder, a mental disorder characterized by i ...
s. Developed in the 1930s by alcoholics, the first twelve-step program,
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international mutual aid fellowship of alcoholics dedicated to abstinence-based recovery from alcoholism through its spiritually-inclined Twelve Step program. Following its Twelve Traditions, AA is non-professi ...
(AA), aided its membership to overcome
alcoholism
Alcoholism is, broadly, any drinking of alcohol (drug), alcohol that results in significant Mental health, mental or physical health problems. Because there is disagreement on the definition of the word ''alcoholism'', it is not a recognize ...
.
Since that time
dozens of other organizations have been derived from AA's approach to address problems as varied as
drug addiction
Addiction is a neuropsychological disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to engage in certain behaviors, one of which is the usage of a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences. Repetitive drug use of ...
,
compulsive gambling
Problem gambling or ludomania is repetitive gambling behavior despite harm and negative consequences. Problem gambling may be diagnosed as a mental disorder according to ''DSM-5'' if certain diagnostic criteria are met. Pathological gambling is ...
, sex and
overeating
Overeating occurs when an individual consumes more calories in relation to the energy that is expended via physical activity or expelled via excretion, leading to weight gain and often obesity. Overeating is the defining characteristic of binge e ...
. All twelve-step programs utilize a version of AA's suggested twelve steps first published in the 1939 book ''
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism.''
As summarized by the
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association (APA) is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States, with over 133,000 members, including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students. It ha ...
(APA), the process involves the following:
Participants attend meetings and are able to make new connections with other members who are striving towards a similar goal. If a person is unable to attend a meeting face-to-face, many of the groups have meetings by phone or online as another option. Each group has its own textbook, workbooks or both, which provide information about their program of recovery and suggestions on how to "work the steps". Often, free literature is available for anyone who asks for it at a meeting. This provides potential new members or family members with relevant information about both the addiction and that specific groups' version of the twelve-step process of recovery. New members are invited to work with another member who has already been through the twelve-steps at least once. That person serves as a guide to the new member, answers questions and provides feedback as the new member goes through the steps. These groups are spiritually based and encourage a belief in a power greater than the members. Most do not have one specific conception of what that means and allow the member to decide what spirituality means to them as it applies to their recovery. The groups emphasize living on a spiritual yet not necessarily religious basis. Groups typically advocate for complete abstinence, usually from all drugs including alcohol. This is because of the perceived potential for cross-addiction, the idea that there is a tendency to trade one addiction for another. Despite the idea of cross-addiction being accepted as real in many addiction recovery groups, there is said to be little empirical evidence to support it and recent research suggests that the opposite is more likely to be true.
The following is a list of twelve-step drug addiction recovery groups. Twelve-step programs for problems other than drug addiction also exist.
*
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international mutual aid fellowship of alcoholics dedicated to abstinence-based recovery from alcoholism through its spiritually-inclined Twelve Step program. Following its Twelve Traditions, AA is non-professi ...
(AA) – This group gave birth to the twelve-step program of recovery. Meetings are focused on alcoholism only and advocate complete abstinence. Meetings are held all over the world.
*
Cocaine Anonymous Cocaine Anonymous (C.A.) is a twelve-step program formed in 1982 for people who seek recovery from drug addiction. It is patterned very closely after Alcoholics Anonymous, although the two groups are unaffiliated. While many C.A. members have been ...
(CA) – This group is focused on cessation of cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. The program advocates complete abstinence from all mind-altering substances in order to recover from the disease of addiction. Meetings are held all over the world.
*
Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery is an American Christian twelve-step program designed to facilitate recovery from a wide variety of troubling behavior patterns. The global headquarters is in Lake Forest, California, United States.
History
The organizati ...
(CR) – Celebrate recovery is a recovery program for any life problem, including addiction to drugs and alcohol. In contrast to most 12-step programs, the group recognizes
Jesus Christ
Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
as their higher power. Their groups are located in the United States.
*
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) is a California-based non-profit, public-benefit corporation founded in 1994. The members of the fellowship of Crystal Meth Anonymous work a twelve-step program of recovery with recovering crystal meth addicts. Parti ...
(CMA) – This group focuses on abstinence from crystal meth although it does recognize the potential for cross-addiction, the tendency for an addict to substitute one addiction for another. Meetings are currently available in eight countries.
*
Heroin Anonymous
Heroin Anonymous (HA) is a non-profit group founded in Phoenix, AZ in 2004 to help people addicted to heroin remain substance-free. Modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, HA is a fellowship of people addicted to heroin who meet regularly to help ...
(HA) – This group is focused on abstinence from heroin along with all other drugs including alcohol. Meetings are held in England and the United States.
*
Marijuana Anonymous
Marijuana Anonymous (MA) founded in 1989 is an organization and twelve-step program for people with common desire to maintain abstinence from marijuana.
History
Marijuana Anonymous (MA) formed in June 1989 to address compulsive use of cannabi ...
(MA) – This group focuses of recovery from marijuana addiction. Groups meet in eleven countries.
*
Nicotine Anonymous Nicotine Anonymous (NicA) is a twelve-step program founded in 1982 for people desiring to quit smoking and live free of nicotine. As of July 2017, there are over 700 face-to-face meetings in 32 countries worldwide with the majority of these meeting ...
(NicA) – This group is for those desiring to stop the use of nicotine in all forms. Groups are available in many countries.
*
Narcotics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous (NA), founded in 1953, describes itself as a "nonprofit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem." Narcotics Anonymous uses a 12-step model developed for people with varied subst ...
(NA) – This group has meetings in 139 countries and focuses on recovery from the use of all drugs and alcohol. The group makes no distinction between any mood or mind-altering substance and encourages members to look for similarities the common problem they all share, rather than focusing on the differences.
[https://www.na.org/admin/include/spaw2/uploads/pdf/litfiles/us_english/IP/EN3122.pdf ]
*
Pagans in Recovery (PIR) – Pagans in recovery have adapted the twelve-step program of recovery into language that is not overtly Christian as it was originally written so that those with other belief systems can more comfortably work the program. They have their own literature but do not currently have an official site for meeting availability.
*
Pills Anonymous
Pills Anonymous (PA) is a twelve-step program founded in 1972 for people who seek recovery from prescription drug addiction. PA is patterned very closely after Alcoholics Anonymous, although the two groups are not affiliated.
PA uses the book ...
(PA) – This group is focused on addiction to pills and all other mind-altering substances. Groups are available in seven countries.
Non-twelve-step recovery groups
These groups do not follow the twelve-step recovery method, although their members may also attend twelve-step meetings. It is common for individuals to try many different meetings and groups while in recovery. What works for one may not work for another, so trying different types of meetings can be helpful to someone seeking recovery from drugs and alcohol.
*
The Washingtonians
"The Washingtonians" is the twelfth episode of the second season of ''Masters of Horror'', directed by Peter Medak. The episode is based on the short story written by Bentley Little. It details a man discovering a shocking secret about George Wa ...
– A defunct 19th Century mutual aid society founded by alcoholics with a desire to maintain sobriety
*
Association of Recovering Motorcyclists
The Association of Recovering Motorcyclists (ARM) is an independent motorcycle association, founded in 1986 by Judy and Jack Jensen.Kraemer, David (September 3, 1989)"No Booze. No Drugs. Good Times."''The Winona Daily News''. The association curre ...
(ARM) – Am association of recovering motorcyclists is a brotherhood of men recovering from alcohol and/or drug addiction. They support one another in remaining abstinent from drugs and alcohol while continuing to ride motorcycles together regularly.
*Recovering Women Riders (RWR) – Recovering women riders is a sisterhood of recovering women motorcyclists. Affiliated with the association of recovering motorcyclists, they also seek to support one another in remaining abstinent from drugs and alcohol while continuing to enjoy the lifestyle of riding bikes together.
*
LifeRing Secular Recovery
LifeRing Secular Recovery (LifeRing or LSR) is a secular, non-profit organization providing peer-run addiction recovery groups. The organization provides support and assistance to people seeking to recover from alcohol and drug addiction, and al ...
(LSR)
*
Moderation Management
Moderation Management (MM) is a secular non-profit organization providing peer-run support groups for anyone who would like to reduce their alcohol consumption. MM was founded in 1994 to create an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous and similar ...
(MM)
*
Rational Recovery Rational Recovery was a commercial vendor of material related to counseling, guidance, and direct instruction for wiktionary:addiction, addiction designed as a direct counterpoint to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and twelve-step programs.
Rational Reco ...
(largely defunct)
*Recovery Dharma (Buddhist)
*
Refuge Recovery
Noah Levine (born 1971) is an American Buddhist teacher and author, son of American Buddhist teacher and poet Stephen Levine. As a counselor known for his philosophical alignment with Buddhism and punk ideology, he identifies his Buddhist beli ...
(RR)
*
Secular Organizations for Sobriety
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS), also known as Save Our Selves, is a non-profit network of autonomous addiction recovery groups. The program stresses the need to place the highest priority on sobriety and uses mutual support to assist memb ...
(SOS)
*
SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery is an international non-profit organization that provides assistance to individuals seeking abstinence from addiction. SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. The SMART approach is secular and research-based, usin ...
*
Women for Sobriety
Women for Sobriety (WFS) is a non-profit secular addiction recovery group for women with addiction problems. WFS was created by sociologist Jean Kirkpatrick in 1976 as an alternative to twelve-step addiction recovery groups like Alcoholics Anon ...
(WFS)
See also
*
List of twelve-step groups
This is a list of Wikipedia articles about specific twelve-step recovery programs and fellowships. These programs, and the groups of people who follow them, are based on the set of guiding principles for recovery from addictive, compulsive, o ...
*
Self-help groups for mental health
Self-help groups for mental health are voluntary associations of people who share a common desire to overcome mental illness or otherwise increase their level of cognitive or emotional wellbeing. Despite the different approaches, many of the psycho ...
*
Twelve-step program
Twelve-step programs are international mutual aid programs supporting recovery from substance addictions, behavioral addictions and compulsions. Developed in the 1930s, the first twelve-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), aided its members ...
*
Sober living houses
Sober living houses (SLHs), also called sober homes and sober living environments, are facilities that provide safe housing and supportive, structured living conditions for people exiting drug rehabilitation programs. SLHs serve as a transitional ...
References
Further reading
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*{{cite journal , author =Winzelberg, A. , author2=Humphreys, K. , date=Oct 1999 , title= Should patients' religiosity influence clinicians' referral to 12-step self-help groups? Evidence from a study of 3,018 male substance abuse patients , journal=Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology , volume=67 , issue=5 , pages=790–794 , doi=10.1037/0022-006X.67.5.790 , pmid=10535246
External links
Association of Recovering MotorcyclistsRecovering Women Riders
Addiction and substance abuse organizations
Drug rehabilitation
Psychiatric rehabilitation
Twelve-step programs