Engaging with 12-Step and Other Mutual Aid Groups During and After Treatment: Addressing Workers’ Negative Beliefs and Attitudes through Training

ABSTRACT

Although attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings is associated with improvements in alcohol consumption and related problems, barriers to engagement persist, including negative perceptions by addiction professionals. The current project examined clinician (N = 64) attitudes to AA and other mutual aid (MA) groups before and after training. Following training, there were increases in knowledge and willingness to refer clients. A follow-up of 38 clinicians identified moderate increases in referrals to MA groups over the following month. Referral to mutual aid groups was predicted by how important clinicians perceived 12-Step groups to be, their satisfaction with the training and support from their agency.

KEYWORDS:

• 12-Step; mutual aid; staff training; worker attitudes; recovery

Notes

1. “In your professional judgement, how helpful/harmful are mutual aid groups?” “How important a role do you believe 12-Step groups can play in a comprehensive treatment system?” and “How important a role do you believe 12-Step groups play in the recovery process?”

2. “In your opinion, how open is your agency to collaborating with AA including starting groups at the program?”