Mutual Support Groups Help Recovery
Religiosity and participation in mutual-aid support groups for addiction
Mutual-aid support groups, such as the 12-Step fellowship Alcoholics Anonymous play a vital role in substance abuse treatment in the United States. In 2005, The Walsh Group conducted a national survey of participants in mutual-aid support groups for addiction to identify key differences between participants in various recovery groups. The survey was conducted with the assistance of The Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia, Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS), SMART Recovery, and Women for Sobriety (WFS). Extensive data was collected from survey respondents on many aspects of recovery. This paper focuses on the impact of survey respondents’ level of religiosity on their recovery and their participation in mutual-aid support groups.
Key findings from the survey on mutual-aid support groups discussed in this paper include:
- Active involvement in groups significantly improves the chances of remaining clean and sober, regardless of the group (SOS, SMART, WFS, 12-step) in which one participates.
- Respondents whose individual beliefs better matched those of their primary support groups showed greater levels of group participation, resulting in better outcomes as measured by increased number of days clean and sober.
- Religious respondents were more likely to actively participate in 12-Step groups and WFS, both of which have spiritual components in their programs.
- Non-religious respondents were significantly less likely to participate in 12-Step groups.
- Respondents with low levels of religiosity were more likely to actively participate in groups with secular programs, such as SOS and SMART Recovery.
These results have important implications for treatment planning and implementation, indicating that matching clients to appropriate support groups according to their individual beliefs can have a positive impact on their program involvement and, ultimately, on their treatment outcomes. When participants in recovery groups feel more comfortable with the philosophies of the groups they attend, they are more likely to become actively involved in these groups, which often results in longer periods of remaining abstinent from the use of alcohol and other drugs.
Research; Randolph G. Atkins, Jr, and James E. Hawdon. Religiosity and participation in mutual-aid support groups for addiction. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Volume 33, Issue 3, October 2007, Pages 321-331
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