Referral To 12-Step Groups

Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 12:43 am

A randomized controlled trial of intensive referral to 12-step self-help groups: One-year outcomes.

Abstract

Objective; This study implemented and evaluated procedures to help clinicians make effective referrals to 12-step self-help groups (SHGs).

Methods; In this randomized controlled trial, individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) entering a new outpatient treatment episode (N = 345; 96% had previous SUD treatment) were randomly assigned to a standard referral or an intensive referral-to-self-help condition and provided self-reports of 12-step group attendance and involvement and substance use at baseline and at six-month and one-year follow-ups (93%).

In standard referral, patients received a schedule for local 12-step SHG meetings and were encouraged to attend.
Intensive referral had the key elements of counselors linking patients to 12-step volunteers and using 12-step journals to check on meeting attendance.

Results; Compared with patients who received standard referral, patients who received intensive referral were more likely to attend and be involved with 12-step groups during both the first and second six-month follow-up periods, and improved more on alcohol and drug use outcomes over the year.

Specifically, during both follow-up periods, patients in intensive referral were more likely to attend at least one meeting per week (70% versus 61%, p = .049) and had higher SHG involvement (mean = 4.9 versus 3.7, p = .021) and abstinence rates (51% versus 41%, p = .048).

Twelve-step involvement mediated the association between referral condition and alcohol and drug outcomes, and was associated with better outcomes above and beyond group attendance.

Conclusions; The intensive referral intervention was associated with improved 12-step group attendance and involvement and substance use outcomes.

To most benefit patients, SUD treatment providers should focus 12-step referral procedures on encouraging broad 12-step group involvement, such as

reading 12-step literature,
doing service at meetings, and
gaining self-identity as a SHG member.

Christine Timko and Anna DeBenedetti. A randomized controlled trial of intensive referral to 12-step self-help groups: One-year outcomes. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Volume 90, Issues 2-3, 8 October 2007, Pages 270-279