Drug addiction recovery groups are voluntary associations of people who share a common desire to overcome their drug addiction. 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 found active involvement in any addiction recovery group correlates with higher chances of maintaining sobriety.[citation needed] 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 disorders.[1] The survey[which?] 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).[2] Analysis of the survey results found a significant positive correlation between the religiosity of members and their participation in twelve-step programs (these programs describe themselves as spiritual rather than religious) and to a lesser level in non-religious SMART Recovery groups, the correlation factor being three times smaller for SMART Recovery than for twelve-step addiction recovery groups.[citation needed] Religiosity was inversely related to participation in Secular Organizations for Sobriety.[2]
A survey[medical citation needed] of a cross-sectional sample of clinicians working in outpatient facilities (selected from the SAMHSA On-line Treatment Facility Locator) found that clinicians referring clients to only 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-oriented therapy, and were likely to be unfamiliar with twelve-step alternatives. A logistic regression of clinicians' knowledge and awareness of cognitive behavioral therapy effectiveness and preference for the twelve-step model was correlated with referring exclusively to twelve-step groups.[3]
- ^ Weiss, Roger D.; Jaffee, William B.; Menil, Victoria P.; Cogley, Catherine B. (2004-01-01). "Group Therapy for Substance Use Disorders: What Do We Know?". Harvard Review of Psychiatry. 12 (6): 339–350. doi:10.1080/10673220490905723. ISSN 1067-3229. PMID 15764469. S2CID 2618294.
- ^ a b Atkins, R.; Hawdon, JE (2007). "Religiosity and participation in mutual-aid support groups for addictions". Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 33 (3): 321–331. doi:10.1016/j.jsat.2007.07.001. PMC 2095128. PMID 17889302.
- ^ Fenster, Judy (July 2006). "Characteristics of clinicians likely to refer clients to 12-Step programs versus a diversity of post-treatment options". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 83 (3): 238–246. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2005.11.017. PMID 16376025.