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DrugScreening.org


 
Five Million Americans Attend Self-Help Groups, SAMHSA Estimates
November 25, 2008

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News Summary

Approximately five million people in the U.S. attend addiction self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, according to a new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Reuters reported Nov. 24.

The study, which was based on data from a survey of 135,672 Americans over the age of 12 and conducted in 2006 and 2007, showed that about 45 percent of those attending self-help groups reported that they abstained from drugs and alcohol in the month before the survey, and more than 30 percent said they participated in formal addiction-treatment programs in the past year.

"The data reinforces the fact that participation in self-help groups is associated with abstinence and recovery," said Stephen Wing, SAMHSA's associate administrator for alcohol policy.

Of the 5 million people attending self-help groups, roughly two-thirds were male, and 80 percent were over the age of 25. SAMHSA did not have data on whether attendance at self-help groups had increased. About 22 million Americans meet the definition for substance abuse.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by David W on 01 Jan 09 05:23 PM EST
I'm a proud member of a 12-step fellowship and I owe my life to the founders of AA and of course my higher power. Five-million Americans strong! And this doesn't include the folks in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America (I've attended meetings on each of these continents) who are in recovery! What an accomplishment. I work in treatment and believe that many of our clients benefit more from 12-step participation than they do from their treatment sessions.

Posted by DoogieM on 10 Dec 08 10:26 AM EST
1. Re AA: At its onset, it wasn't about sharing at all. Bill Wilson did not visit Dr. Bob in order to share anything. He went there to keep himself from drinking. Never has one selfish act helped so many!!! 2. I think the secular groups ARE successful -- they've been around major urban areas for many years now and some have an international presence as well. Seems difficult for the secular groups to take hold in rural Northern Michigan where 12 Steps dominate. But they all have fine web sites, chat groups, online meetings, forums, etc.

Posted by John C on 04 Dec 08 06:19 PM EST
I wish the other self help groups were more effective. At last count in my town there were over 400 12 Step groups meeting weekly and zero, as far as I know, of the other groups. They don't seem to last. As a clinician, I would love to have other other resources to use since there is resistance among so many to 12 Step groups. But the evidence, as reflected in the numbers, is that 12 Step groups are the primary source of recovery for most people who find recovery. 5 million is a pretty impressive number but not surprising at all to me.

Posted by pneelie on 03 Dec 08 09:19 PM EST
And please remember, there are self-help groups other than 12-Step, some of which are actually based upon some evidence.

Posted by it is great on 01 Dec 08 04:11 PM EST
yes, it's truly amazing to see how these two men formed a cult religion, with the same treatment success rate as no treatment at all, somehow still get recognized for it on a regular basis.

Posted by Bernie Ellis on 26 Nov 08 09:32 AM EST
And to think, it all started when two alcoholics met (by chance) and -- by sharing their experience, strength and hope -- helped keep each other sober. Seventy three years (and 5+ million people) later, 12-Step programs remain the most powerful force for achieving and maintaining sobriety that we have. The social learning theorists were right -- what we learn in the "real world" from peers changes our behavior more frequently (and successfully) than what we learn in the artificiality of "treatment" settings with their own artificial hierarchies. Thanks for this encouraging news this morning.

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