Text Size
Smaller
Bigger
AA/NA

Researchers Say Addicted Teens Do Better When They Participate in AA or NA

Comments (1)
posted 11:01 AM EST, Tue April 17, 2012
more sharing options »
Researchers Say AA and NA Help Addicted Teens © Pastries71

Teens with substance abuse problems who get involved in AA or NA during the first year of recovery are more likely to maintain abstinence than teens who do not.

John Lee
by John Lee
Editor
Google+ Facebook

In a study which confirms that teens respond like adults to AA or NA participation, researchers found that teens who participated in a mutual self help group like AA after the end of a period of treatment were more likely to stay abstinent than teens who did not.

The Study

Researchers at the Center for Addiction Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital wanted to know if getting involved with mutual self help groups like AA or NA really helped teens in recovery stay abstinent.

To find out, they followed 127 teen (14 to 19 years) subjects through their first year of addiction treatment, checking in with each subject at intake and at 3, 6 and 12 months after intake, and recorded information on each subject’s use of mutual self help groups and degree of interaction with a personal sponsor.

The Results

  • Between a quarter and a third of the subjects participated in AA or NA throughout the first year of treatment
  • Subjects who attended AA or NA meetings did better than those who did not and those who attended meetings most frequently (once a week or more) were most likely to maintain abstinence
  • Other factors which were associated with a greater probability of maintaining abstinence were finding and working with a sponsor and participating verbally at meetings

Based on the results, the study authors suggest that those working with adolescents during the early recovery period should encourage participation in AA or NA.

The full study results will be available to read in the July 2012 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Share It Share this page on Google+, Facebook or Twitter Email It Send this page Print It Print friendly page Subscribe Subscribe to this topic category
Story Highlights
  • AA and NA: Teens who get involved in a 12 steps program during the first year of recovery are more likely to stay abstinent
  • Getting a Sponsor: Actively participating by speaking at meetings and working with a sponsor further increases the likelihood of maintaining abstinence
Creative Commons License
Copyright Notice
We welcome republishing of our content on condition that you credit Choose Help and the respective authors. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Helpful Information
The Insanity of Alcoholism: How the Alcoholic Thinks
Understanding the Insanity of Alcoholism: How the Alcoholic Thinks © Flood
One of the finest compliments I receive from recovering alcoholics is that despite the fact that I am not an alcoholic, I understand how their minds work. I have profound respect for all the old sayings in AA. Some are open to interpretation - the "insanity of our disease" is a literal statement. Read Article
Alcoholism September 21, 2012 (10)
Study: Young Adults Benefit in AA with Older Adults
Young Adults Find Effective Recovery Support in 12 Steps Meetings with Older Adults © Mr. Theklan
Because so many young adults use drugs or alcohol young people sometimes have trouble forging sober social support networks after treatment. AA and NA can provide this sober support, but many groups are comprised of middle aged adults. A new research study suggests that this age gap does not matter and that 12 steps meetings do offer younger adults effective social support. Read Article
Addiction Treatment November 14, 2012 (1)
What to Expect at Your First AA/NA Meeting
What Happens at an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous Meeting? © Gemma Stiles
This article describes what to expect when you go to your first AA/NA meeting. Many alcoholics and addicts hear a lot of rumors about what happens at meetings. Some people are afraid to go to their first meeting because they don't know what to expect. This article clears up all the rumors and will let you know exactly what to expect. Read Article
Addiction Treatment April 10, 2013 (4)
Like Our Site? Follow Us!