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Helping other alcoholics in alcoholics anonymous and drinking outcomes: findings from project MATCH.

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Pagano, Maria E, Friend, Karen B, Tonigan, J Scott, Stout, Robert L·2004·Journal of Studies on Alcohol
DOI 10.15288/jsa.2004.65.766PMC PMC3008319
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the largest mutual-help organization for alcoholics in the world, its specific mechanisms that mobilize and sustain behavior change are poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to examine prospectively the relationship between helping other alcoholics and relapse in the year following treatment for alcohol use disorders. METHOD: Data were derived from Project MATCH, a longitudinal prospective investigation of the efficacy of three behavioral treatments for alcohol abuse and dependence. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were used to calculate probabilities of time to alcohol relapse. To identify the unique value of helping other alcoholics when controlling for the number of AA meetings attended, proportional hazards regressions were conducted to determine whether the likelihood of relapse was lower for those who were helping other alcoholics. RESULTS: There were no demographic differences that distinguished participants in regard to involvement in helping other alcoholics, with the exception of age; those who were helping other alcoholics were, on average, 3 years older than those who were not helping alcoholics. Those who were helping were significantly less likely to relapse in the year following treatment, independent of the number of AA meetings attended. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide compelling evidence that recovering alcoholics who help other alcoholics maintain long-term sobriety following formal treatment are themselves better able to maintain their own sobriety. Clinicians who treat persons with substance abuse disorders should encourage their clients to help other recovering alcoholics to stay sober.

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  • Helping others during treatment doubled the chances of staying sober in the initial months following treatment.

    “helping others during treatment doubled the chances of staying sober in the initial months following treatment”

    From Social anxiety and peer helping in adolescent addiction treatment (2015) · cites this paper as Pagano et al., 2004

    The Results report that 40% of participants helping other alcoholics at the end of treatment avoided a drink, compared with 22% of those not helping—approximately twice as many. That comparison covers the 12 months following treatment, not specifically the initial months, so the claimed timeframe is not established. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Research works printed but not linked: 13

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Authors
Pagano, M. E., Friend, K. B., Tonigan, J. S., & Stout, R. L.
Affiliations
Brown University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Studies on Alcohol
Publisher
Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc.
Published
2004-11
Volume
65
Issue
6
Pages
766-773
ISSN
  • 0096-882X (ISSN-L)
  • 1934-2683
DOI
10.15288/jsa.2004.65.766
PMC
PMC3008319
OpenAlex
W2095924343
Cited by
204
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 5
FWCI
4.81
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Studies on Alcohol (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (T32AA007459)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
Keywords
Alcoholics Anonymous, alcohol relapse, alcoholism treatment, self-help groups, long-term sobriety, Project MATCH, recovery support
MeSH terms
Adult, Alcoholics Anonymous, Alcoholism, Analysis of Variance, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Chi-Square Distribution, Treatment Outcome, Secondary Prevention

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