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The Role of Twelve‐Step Approaches in Dual Diagnosis Treatment and Recovery
Author(s) -
Bogenschutz Michael P.,
Geppert Cynthia M. A.,
George Jennifer
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490500419060
Subject(s) - dual diagnosis , psychological intervention , substance use , psychiatry , medicine , psychology
The authors reviewed the empirical literature concerning the use of twelve‐step programs and treatments by patients with co‐occurring substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders. Strong evidence was found that dually diagnosed individuals (DDI), with the possible exception of those with psychotic disorders, attend twelve‐step programs at rates comparable to non‐DDI. Twelve‐step involvement is consistently associated with improved substance use outcomes. Although there have been numerous clinical trials involving twelve step‐oriented interventions for DDI, most of the studies suffered from substantial methodological limitations. More work is needed to determine what kinds of twelve‐step treatments and programs are effective for various types of patients and elucidate the mechanisms by which these approaches facilitate recovery.