Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous: The Role of Spiritual Orientation and AA Member Affiliation

• NCJ Number: 241262
• Journal: Journal of Addictive Diseases Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: April - June 2012 Pages: 173-182
• Author(s): Marc Galanter, M.D.; Helen Dermatis, Ph.D.; Courtney Santucci, B.A.
• Date Published: April 2012
• Length: 10 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: John Templeton Foundation
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined youth Alcholics Anonymous (AA) members prior substance use, treatment experience and duration of abstinence.

Abstract

Empirical findings characterizing long-term, committed Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members are limited, particularly among younger members. The authors studied a sample of 266 highly committed attendees (mean age, 27 years) at an annual conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (YPAA), whose first encounter with AA was 6 years previously. Most (72 percent) had abused drugs and alcohol, and 36 percent had never received substance abuse treatment. They now reported a mean duration of abstinence of 44 months and had attended an average of 233 AA meetings in the previous year; 66 percent had served as AA sponsors, and 92 percent reported experiencing an AA "spiritual awakening," itself associated with a decreased likelihood of alcohol craving. Scores on AA beliefs, affiliation to other members, and the experience of spiritual awakening were associated with lower depression scores. These findings are discussed to clarify the nature of long-term AA membership. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.