Those seeking assistance for substance abuse problems like an alcohol use disorder often find effective support in groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The benefit of working together in a support group is often pivotal to a major change in choices related to alcohol use.

Many join the group as their first step towards making a change in their lifestyle, while others are introduced to AA as a secondary aspect of a treatment program at a medical facility. Because AA operates without the use of any United States government funds, they represent a critical part of ongoing care for those with substance abuse problems.

Jane Witbrodt and Anders Romelsjo are researchers who wanted to examine the effectiveness of programs like AA one year past the initiation of treatment. They wanted to explore whether there were gender differences in the role AA played in recovery, and participants in both the United States and Sweden were examined.

To gather data, the researchers compared men and women from treatment samples showing parallel designs. There were 1,525 Swedish participants and 926 participants from the United States.

Individual characteristics, such as demographic, severity and motivational factors were examined, as well as formal and informal influences, such as treatment, mutual help, coercive and social factors. These measures were studied to discover whether there was a relationship of help-seeking correlates of attendance.

In both the United States and Sweden, similar proportions of men and women were involved in mutual-help groups like AA. Twice as many U.S. clients reported attendance. Also, twice as many U.S. clients perceived abstinence to be the goal of their attendance at the mutual-help group.

In both countries several factors predicted posttreatment attendance. If a participant was supported by having an abstinence goal, a perceived need for treatment, suggestions from an employment environment and prior mutual-help attendance, they were more likely to continue the mutual-help group. Gender difference was also found to be a factor.

The results of the study show that mutual-help groups are an important component of services offered to those struggling with addictions, given the cyclical nature of relapse and recovery.

Groups like AA are often a critical component for those trying to overcome an alcohol or drug addiction. The support found there can be very important for accountability, and the low-cost nature of the program makes it very attractive as an addition to programs found at treatment facilities.