CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 347Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesOpioid Use Disorder TreatmentHomelessness and Social Issues

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 3 of the 3 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programmes for alcohol dependence

Open access
Ferri, Marica, Amato, Laura, Davoli, Marina·2006·Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd005032.pub2PMC PMC12167657
Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international organization of recovering alcoholics that offers emotional support through self-help groups and a model of abstinence for people recovering from alcohol dependence, using a 12-step approach. Although it is the most common, AA is not the only 12-step intervention available there are other 12-step approaches (labelled Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF)). OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of AA or TSF programmes compared to other psychosocial interventions in reducing alcohol intake, achieving abstinence, maintaining abstinence, improving the quality of life of affected people and their families, and reducing alcohol associated accidents and health problems. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Specialized Register of Trials of the Cochrane Group on Drugs and Alcohol, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE from 1966, EMBASE from 1980, CINAHL from 1982, PsychINFO from 1967. Searches were updated in February 2005. We also inspected lists of references for relevant studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies involving adults (<18) of both genders with alcohol dependence attending on a voluntary or coerced basis AA or TSF programmes comparing no treatment, other psychological interventions, 12-step variants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One reviewer (MF) assessed studies for inclusion and extracted data using a pre-defined data extraction form. Studies were evaluated for methodological quality and discussed by all reviewers. MAIN RESULTS: Eight trials involving 3417 people were included. AA may help patients to accept treatment and keep patients in treatment more than alternative treatments, though the evidence for this is from one small study that combined AA with other interventions and should not be regarded as conclusive. Other studies reported similar retention rates regardless of treatment group. Three studies compared AA combined with other interventions against other treatments and found few differences in the amount of drinks and percentage of drinking days. Severity of addiction and drinking consequence did not seem to be differentially influenced by TSF versus comparison treatment interventions, and no conclusive differences in treatment drop out rates were reported. Included studies did not allow a conclusive assessment of the effect of TSF in promoting complete abstinence. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: No experimental studies unequivocally demonstrated the effectiveness of AA or TSF approaches for reducing alcohol dependence or problems. One large study focused on the prognostic factors associated with interventions that were assumed to be successful rather than on the effectiveness of interventions themselves, so more efficacy studies are needed.

Overview

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1002/14651858.cd005032.pub2

Cites

0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Verification

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 57

  1. Brown, 2002, Matching substance abuse aftercare treatments to client characteristics, Addictive Behaviors, 27, 585, 10.1016/S0306-4603(01)00195-2 · DOI
  2. Brown, 2002, Process and outcome changes with relapse prevention versus 12-Step aftercare programs for substance abusers, Addiction, 97, 677, 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.00101.x · DOI
  3. Cloud, 2004, What is Alcoholics Anonymous affiliation?, Substance Use & Misuse, 39, 1117, 10.1081/JA-120038032 · DOI
  4. Davis, 2002, A trial of "standard" outpatient alcoholism treatment vs. a minimal treatment control, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 23, 9, 10.1016/S0740-5472(02)00227-1 · DOI
  5. Kahler, 2004, Motivational enhancement for 12-step involvement among patients undergoing alcohol detoxification, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 736, 10.1037/0022-006X.72.4.736 · DOI · Paper page
  6. Cutler RB Fishbain DA Are alcoholism treatments effective? The Project MATCH data. Are alcoholism treatments effective? The Project MATCH data BMC Public Health 2005 75 · DOI
  7. Project MATCH Research Group, 1998, Matching alcoholism treatments to client heterogeneity: treatment main effects and matching effects on drinking during treatment, Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 59, 631, 10.15288/jsa.1998.59.631 · DOI
  8. Project MATCH research group, 1998, Matching alcoholism treatments to client heterogeneity: Project MATCH three-year drinking outcomes, Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 22, 1300, 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1998.tb03912.x · DOI
  9. McCrady, 1996, Issues in the implementation of a randomised clinical trial that includes Alcoholics Anonymous: studying AA-related behavior during treatment, Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 57, 604, 10.15288/jsa.1996.57.604 · DOI
  10. McCrady, 2004, Alcoholics anonymous and relapse prevention as maintenance strategies after conjoint behavioral alcohol treatment for men: 18-month outcomes, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 870, 10.1037/0022-006X.72.5.870 · DOI
  11. Walsh, 1991, A randomised trial of treatment options for alcohol-abusing workers, The New England Journal of Medicine, 325, 775, 10.1056/NEJM199109123251105 · DOI
  12. Zemore, 2004, Helping, spirituality and alcoholics anonymous in recovery, Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 65, 383, 10.15288/jsa.2004.65.383 · DOI
  13. Zemore, 2004, In 12-step groups, helping helps the helper, Addiction, 99, 1015, 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00782.x · DOI
  14. Bond, 2003, The persistent influence of social networks and alcoholics anonymous on abstinence, J Stud Alcohol, 64, 579, 10.15288/jsa.2003.64.579 · DOI
  15. Bradley, 2004, Using alcohol screening results and treatment history to assess the severity of at-risk drinking in Veterans Affairs primary care patients, Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 28, 448, 10.1097/01.ALC.0000117836.38108.38 · DOI
  16. Campos, 2004, [Representations of alcoholism in a former alcoholics' association: Alcoholics Anonymous], Cad Saude Publica, 20, 1379, 10.1590/S0102-311X2004000500033 · DOI
  17. Gossop, 2003, Is attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after inpatient treatment related to improved outcomes? A 6-month follow-up study, Alcohol Alcohol, 38, 421, 10.1093/alcalc/agg104 · DOI
  18. Graham, 1996 Aug, A controlled field trial of group versus individual cognitive-behavioural training for relapse prevention., Addiction, 91, 1127, 10.1046/j.1360-0443.1996.91811275.x · DOI
  19. Humphreys, 2004, Self-help organizations for alcohol and drug problems: toward evidence-based practice and policy, J Subst Abuse Treat, 26, 151-8; discussi, 10.1016/S0740-5472(03)00212-5 · DOI
  20. Karno, 2003, Patient depressive symptoms and therapist focus on emotional material: a new look at Project MATCH, J Stud Alcohol, 64, 607, 10.15288/jsa.2003.64.607 · DOI
  21. Keso, 1990 Aug, Inpatient treatment of employed alcoholics: a randomised clinical trial on Hazelden-type and traditional treatment., Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 14, 584, 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1990.tb01206.x · DOI
  22. Lloyd, 2002, One hundred alcoholic doctors: a 21-year follow-up, Alcohol Alcohol, 37, 370, 10.1093/alcalc/37.4.370 · DOI
  23. Longabaugh, 1998 Sep, Network support for drinking, Alcoholics Anonymous and long-term matching effects., Addiction, 93, 1313, 10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.93913133.x · DOI
  24. Masudomi, 2004, Self-help groups reduce mortality risk: a 5-year follow-up study of alcoholics in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Psychiatry Clin Neurosci, 58, 551, 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2004.01299.x · DOI
  25. McKellar, 2003, Alcoholics anonymous involvement and positive alcohol-related outcomes: cause, consequence, or just a correlate? A prospective 2-year study of 2,319 alcohol-dependent men, J Consult Clin Psychol, 71, 302, 10.1037/0022-006X.71.2.302 · DOI
  26. McLatchie, 1988 Sep, An experimental investigation of the influence of aftercare on alcoholic relapse., Br J Addict, 83, 1045, 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1988.tb00531.x · DOI
  27. Moos, 2004, The interplay between help-seeking and alcohol-related outcomes: divergent processes for professional treatment and self-help groups, Drug Alcohol Depend, 75, 155, 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.01.016 · DOI
  28. Morgan, 2004, Improvement in quality of life after treatment for alcohol dependence with acamprosate and psychosocial support, Alcohol Clin Exp Res, 28, 64, 10.1097/01.ALC.0000108652.73143.4B · DOI
  29. Ouimette, 1997 Apr, Twelve-step and cognitive--behavioral treatment for substance abuse: a comparison of treatment effectiveness, J Consult Clin Psychol, 65, 230, 10.1037/0022-006X.65.2.230 · DOI
  30. Staines, 2003, Predictors of drinking outcomes among alcoholics, Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse, 29, 203, 10.1081/ADA-120018847 · DOI
  31. Thomassen, 2002, AA utilization after introduction in outpatient treatment, Subst Use Misuse, 37, 239, 10.1081/JA-120001980 · DOI
  32. Timko, 2002, Gender differences in help-utilization and the 8-year course of alcohol abuse, Addiction, 97, 877, 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.00099.x · DOI
  33. Timko, 2004, Intensity of acute services, self-help attendance and one-year outcomes among dual diagnosis patients, J Stud Alcohol, 65, 274, 10.15288/jsa.2004.65.274 · DOI
  34. Tucker, 2004, A factor analytic study of influences on patterns of help-seeking among treated and untreated alcohol dependent persons, J Subst Abuse Treat, 26, 237, 10.1016/S0740-5472(03)00209-5 · DOI
  35. Verinis, 1994 Sep, S. and Taylor, J. Increasing alcoholic patients' aftercare attendance., Int J Addict, 29, 1487, 10.3109/10826089409048721 · DOI
  36. Amato L Davoli M Ali R Auriacombe M Faggiano F Farrell M Drugs and Alcohol Group. About the Cochrane Collaboration (Collaborative Review Groups (CRGs)) The Cochrane Library 2005
  37. Cutler RB Fishbain DA Are alcoholism treatments effective? The Project MATCH data. BMC Public Health 2005 75 · DOI
  38. American psychiatric association, 1994, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TM
  39. Emrick, 1989, Alcoholics Anonymous: membership characteristics and effectiveness as treatment, Recent Developments in Alcoholism, 7, 37, 10.1007/978-1-4899-1678-5_2 · DOI
  40. Ferri, 2006, Heroin maintenance treatment for chronic heroin-dependent individuals: A Cochrane systematic review of effectiveness, Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 30, 63, 10.1016/j.jsat.2005.09.003 · DOI
  41. Gitlow, 2001, Substance use disorders. Practical Guides in Psychiatry
  42. Greenhalgh, 1997, How to read a paper
  43. Hales, 1999, The American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Psychiatry
  44. Heath, 1997, Genetic and Environmental contributions to alcohol dependence risk in a national twin sample: Consistency of findings in women and men, Psychology and Medicine, 27, 1381, 10.1017/S0033291797005643 · DOI
  45. Alejandro, 1998, Randomised Controlled Trials, 2
  46. Kownacki, 1999, Does Alcoholics Anonymous work? The results from a meta-analysis of controlled experiments, Substance Use & Misuse, 34, 1897, 10.3109/10826089909039431 · DOI
  47. Marlatt, 1995, Relapse Prevention: maintenance strategies in the treatment of cocaine of addictive behaviours
  48. Project MATCH Research Group, 1997, Project MATCH secondary a priori hypotheses, Addiction, 92, 1671, 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1997.tb02889.x · DOI
  49. Project MATCH research group, 1997, Matching Alcoholism Treatments to Client Heterogeneity: Project MATCH posttreatment drinking outcomes, Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 58, 7, 10.15288/jsa.1997.58.7 · DOI · Paper page
  50. Project MATCH research group, 1998, Matching alcoholism treatments to client heterogeneity: Project MATCH three-year drinking outcomes, Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 22, 1300, 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1998.tb03912.x · DOI
  51. McLellan, 1980, An improved diagnostic evaluation instrument for substance abuse patients: the Addiction Severity Index, Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases, 168, 26, 10.1097/00005053-198001000-00006 · DOI
  52. Moyer, 2001, Can methodological features account for patient-treatment matching findings in the alcohol field?, Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62, 62, 10.15288/jsa.2001.62.62 · DOI
  53. NIAA, 2000, Why Do Some People Dr i n k Too Mu c h ? The Role of Genetic and Psychosocial Influences, Alcohol Research & Health, 24, 17
  54. Parks, 2001, Relapse prevention therapy
  55. Regier, 1993, The de facto US mental and addictive disorders service system: epidemiologic catchment area prospective 1-year prevalence rates of disorders and services, Archive General Psychaitry, 50, 85, 10.1001/archpsyc.1993.01820140007001 · DOI
  56. The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager (RevMan) 2003
  57. Rehn, June 2001, Alcohol in the European Region – consumption, harm and policies

Cited by

Sorted by citations

See all 347

Metadata

Authors
Ferri, M., Amato, L., & Davoli, M.
Affiliations
  • Agency of Public Health; Project Unit: EBM and Models of Health Assistance; Via di Santa Costanza 53 Rome Italy 00198
  • Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma 3 (IT)
ORCID
Venue
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2006-07-19
Volume
2010
Issue
1
Pages
CD005032-CD005032
ISSN
  • 1361-6137 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-1858
DOI
10.1002/14651858.cd005032.pub2
PMC
PMC12167657
OpenAlex
W1541598409
Cited by
347
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 63 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 32 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 26
FWCI
1.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Homelessness and Social Issues
Keywords
Alcoholics Anonymous, twelve-step facilitation, 12-step programs, alcoholism, self-help groups, abstinence, treatment retention, treatment discontinuation, alcohol consumption, psychosocial interventions, family quality of life, alcohol-related accidents
MeSH terms
Adult, Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholism, Humans, Self-Help Groups, Program Evaluation, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review