BACKGROUND: Specialized 12-step based groups have emerged to address the needs of persons recovering from both substance abuse and psychiatric illness. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the role of social support in mediating the association between mutual aid participation and subsequent substance use for dually diagnosed persons. METHOD: A cohort of Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) members in New York City were studied prospectively over a two-year period. FINDINGS: Longer DTR participation during the first year of the study was associated with lower substance use in the second year; that effect was partially explained by the maintenance of high level of social support. CONCLUSION: These findings speak of the enduring influence of 12-step attendance on reducing substance use, and underline the importance of both 12-step attendance and supportive networks for dually diagnosed persons.
BACKGROUND: Specialized 12-step based groups have emerged to address the needs of persons recovering from both substance abuse and psychiatric illness. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the role of social support in mediating the association between mutual aid participation and subsequent substance use for dually diagnosed persons. METHOD: A cohort of Double Trouble in Recovery (DTR) members in New York City were studied prospectively over a two-year period. FINDINGS: Longer DTR participation during the first year of the study was associated with lower substance use in the second year; that effect was partially explained by the maintenance of high level of social support. CONCLUSION: These findings speak of the enduring influence of 12-step attendance on reducing substance use, and underline the importance of both 12-step attendance and supportive networks for dually diagnosed persons.
Authors: Alison Luciano; Johannes Belstock; Per Malmberg; Gregory J McHugo; Robert E Drake; Haiyi Xie; Susan M Essock; Nancy H Covell Journal: Psychiatr Serv Date: 2014-10-31 Impact factor: 3.084
Authors: Michael P Bogenschutz; Samara L Rice; J Scott Tonigan; Howard S Vogel; Joseph Nowinski; Donald Hume; Pamela B Arenella Journal: J Subst Abuse Treat Date: 2013-12-21