A Categorical Assessment of 12-Step Involvement in Relation to Recovery Resources

Abstract

The present study examined 12-step involvement categorically, independent of 12-step meeting attendance, and its relation to recovery resources among 100 members of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous residing in recovery homes. Participants who were actively involved in 12-step activities reported significantly higher levels of recovery resources compared with those who were less involved, whereas meeting attendance was significantly and negatively related to self-efficacy for abstinence and meaning in life. Findings suggest that categorical involvement in 12-step activities equip recovering alcoholics/addicts with resources for their ongoing recovery. Implications for future research are discussed.

Coping Strategies in 12-Step Recovery: More Evidence for Categorical Involvement

“…Participants who positively endorsed all four items were considered to be categorically involved (n = 50), whereas participants who endorsed three or fewer items were not categorically involved (n = 32) in 12-step activities. This method of assessing categorical involvement in 12-step activities was used in a recent investigation (Majer et al, 2010). Cronbach's alpha was calculated at .65, resulting in adequate internal consistency for these 12-step involvement items.…”

“…However, some investigations have found negative relationships between 12-step meeting attendance and abstinence (Laudet, Savage, & Daneyal, 2002), self-efficacy for abstinence, and meaning in life (Majer et al, 2010). These findings suggest that resources for ongoing recovery from alcohol/drug addiction are influenced by factors other than meeting attendance, such as involvement in 12-step activities.…”

“…A growing number of research studies have examined 12-step involvement in terms of specific 12-step activities such as having a sponsor, being involved in service, and working the 12 steps (Cloud, Ziegler, & Blondell, 2004;Majer et al, 2010;Montgomery et al, 1995;Moos, 2008;Tonigan, Connors, & Miller, 1998;Witbrodt & Kaskutas, 2005). Involvement in specific 12-step activities has been associated with gains in recovery resources including increased rates of meaning in life (Montgomery et al), social support and self-efficacy for abstinence , and abstinence (Timko & Benedetti, 2007;Weiss, Reilly, & Kearns, 2005), when controlling for meeting attendance.…”

“…Involvement in specific 12-step activities has been associated with gains in recovery resources including increased rates of meaning in life (Montgomery et al), social support and self-efficacy for abstinence , and abstinence (Timko & Benedetti, 2007;Weiss, Reilly, & Kearns, 2005), when controlling for meeting attendance. Majer et al (2010) proposed the idea of categorical 12-step involvement (i.e., being involved categorically in a set of suggested 12-step activities), independent of meeting attendance, as being an important consideration in measuring 12-step involvement. Although some research evidence suggests that such involvement increases recovery resources including meaning in life, self-efficacy for abstinence, and abstinence (Majer et al, 2010;Majer, Jason, Ferrari, & Miller, 2011), we do not know whether categorical 12-step involvement helps recovering persons effectively cope in response to stressors associated with ongoing recovery.…”

Student Advocacy and Research Regarding Employability with Women in an Addiction Recovery Center

“…Students had the option of using a modified Service Utilization Chart (Rossi, Lipsey, & Freeman, 2004) or different strategies from Pierce (2003) (Grant, 2007;Kielhofner, 2002;Larson & Zemke, 2003;Majer et al, 2010;Russel, 2001). …”