Research Support for TSF

Concise Alcoholics Anonymous and TSF Research Summary

All the elements of TSF have moderate to strong research support, most of which has been replicated.

NB: AA does not participate in research but individual members do. The huge volume of peripheral research supports a strong case for recommending AA participation by alcoholics. Additionally, testimony of the effectiveness of AA are the two million current sober members of Alcoholics Anonymous.

We know: -

that Twelve Step Facilitation reduces alcohol abuse, improves related consequences, and improves employment prospects.
that Alcoholics Anonymous has good efficacy, and that Peer Sponsoring/social support is an essential element in AA’s success.
that recovering people who help recovering people maintain better sobriety and have greater involvement in the general community.
that men, women, adolescence, African-Americans, Hispanics and gay men benefit from AA. That all socio-demographic groups are represented.
that AA is also suitable for head trauma victims, and methadone patients.
that AA has wide acceptance and is readily available in almost all communities. The current global membership of AA is approximately 2.06 million.
that participation in Alcoholics Anonymous improves medication compliance for mental health patients, improves psychological functioning, Improves coping, reduces child abuse and domestic violence, reduces healthcare usage, reduces hospitalization, reduces medical symptoms, reduces subsequent treatment demand, reduces mortality, and reduces associated costs.
that healthcare workers have good success rates for substance abuse treatment and recovery from alcoholism that can be improved with AA participation.
that alcoholics with social networks supportive of drinking have better outcomes if they initiate AA attendance while in treatment.
that affiliation with AA is enhanced if prospects gain an awareness of the culture and methods used by AA and that sobriety is better than drinking prior to attending AA.
that 80% of Australian, 87% of USA, and 65% of UK doctors believe that Alcoholics Anonymous is the treatment of choice for alcoholism, but overall they do not understand how AA works.
that more than 80% of specialist alcohol and drug treatment staff support Alcoholics Anonymous treatment referral and 92% of another specialist A & D service requested training in 12 Step approaches.
that AA Peer Sponsor contact at the healthcare worker office/institution increases initiation and sustained attendance at AA meetings.
that active and regular AA participation is one of the more effective ways to effect lifestyle changes for alcoholics.
that routinely engaging patients in continuing outpatient care is likely to yield better outcomes..
that most people in the early stages of alcoholism seek help from GP’s or Community Health Centers.
that individuals with substance abuse medical conditions benefit from integrated medical and substance abuse treatment, and approaches such as TSF can be cost-effective.
that for every $1.00 invested in intervention with alcoholics $4.30 is saved in future healthcare costs.