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Abstract
Treatment for alcohol dependence is often provided in outpatient settings, and often includes introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Relatively little is known about subsequent AA utilization. Analyses of survey data collected from 72 clients of an outpatient treatment center introduced to AA revealed that, 6 months following intake, a large portion of the responding sample of 55 were still attending AA meetings. Principal components analysis of self-reports of the frequencies of 12 AA-related behaviors found three dimensions of AA utilization: fellowship or social involvement, meeting attendance and participation, and involvement in bureaucratic functioning and meeting production. Results suggest it is important to consider these dimensions of utilization for those wishing to understand AA involvement.
RESUMEN
El tratamiento para la dependencia del alcohol se proporciona a menudo en configuraciones del paciente no internado, e incluye a menudo la introducción al AA. Se sabe relativamente poco sobre la utilización subsecuente del AA. Los análisis de los datos de la encuesta recogieron de clientes de un paciente no internado que el centro del tratamiento introducido al AA reveló que, 6 meses que seguían el producto, una porción grande de la muestra todavía assistía a reuniones del AA. El análisis de los componentes principales de los uno mismo-informes de las frecuencias de 12 comportamientos de AA-related encontró tres dimensiones de la utilización del AA: beca o implicación social, satisfacer la atención y participación, y la implicación en la producción de funcionamiento y que satisface burocrática. Los resultados sugieren que sea importante considerar estas dimensiones de la utilización para ésos que desean entender la implicación del AA.
RÉSUMÉ
Le traitement pour la dépendance d’alcool est souvent fourni dans des configurations de malade externe, et inclut souvent l’introduction au AA. Relativement peu est connu au sujet de l’utilisation ultérieure de AA. Les analyses des données d’étude se sont rassemblées des clients d’un malade externe que le centre de traitement présenté au AA a indiqué que, pendant 6 mois suivant la prise, une grande partie de l’échantillon assistaient toujours à des réunions de AA. L’analyse de composants principaux des individu-états des fréquences de 12 comportements d’AA-related a trouvé trois dimensions d’utilisation de AA: camaraderie ou participation sociale, rencontrer le assistance et la participation, et la participation à la production de fonctionnement et se réunissante bureaucratique. Les résultats suggèrent qu’il soit important de considérer ces dimensions d’utilisation pour ceux qui souhaitent comprendre la participation de AA.
Notes
1A colleague notes that, although treatment is often considered in terms of professional and mutual-help models, substance users may make significant changes on their own, through “natural recovery.” Also, it is important to match the program to the client, and accurately evaluating treatment process or outcome is difficult unless this, as well as quality and appropriateness of treatment, is considered Citation[6]. It is often difficult to establish the achievement of successful recovery, given differing definitions of the problem Citation[7], as well as criteria for assessing effectiveness Citation[6].
1In addition, the survey included the brief CAGE instrument Citation24-25, for which mean scores at intake were 1.7, with a mode and median of 2 “yes” responses.
2Unlike mandatory treatment, where there is typically little choice for participants, in AA there is freedom to choose among meetings. In mutual-aid model alcohol- user treatment groups the ideological basis is one of commonality of experience. Programs have a typical structure, but for some groups the orientation with regard to the nature of the underlying problem varies, as does the culture that emerges, particularly if the group is oriented around a shared characteristic in addition to substance use; e.g., there are women's groups, gay groups, etc. Citation26-27.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Lisa Thomassen
Lisa Thomassen is a visiting scholar in the Indiana University Department of Sociology, and visiting assistant professor in the Kelley School of Business Marketing Department. Dr. Thomassen earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, and a Master's and Ph.D. in Sociology from Indiana University. After receiving her doctorate, she spent 2 years at Prevention Research Center in Berkeley, California, as a postdoctoral fellow. She is the faculty advisor for the Indiana University Juggling Club, and her research interests include sentiments and behavior, and role/identity.