The Experts below are selected from a list of 225 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Marc Galanter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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virtual twelve step meeting attendance during the covid 19 period a study of members of Narcotics Anonymous
Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2021Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, William L White, Brooke D HunterAbstract:OBJECTIVES: Face-to-face meetings are key components of Twelve Step (TS) fellowships' support of members' abstinence. Home confinement during COVID-19 made this less feasible. Our objective was to ascertain whether a transition to virtual online meetings among TS members took place, and whether it was potentially effective. METHODS: Two thousand one hundred fifty-two long-standing USA members of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) were surveyed to ascertain their recovery-related experiences and their relation to the transition to virtual meetings. RESULTS: During the previous week (ie, 'during COVID-19') respondents attended more virtual meetings (â=â4.13[SD4.64]) than they had attended both face-to-face meetings before COVID-19 (â=â3.35[SD2.05]), and also face-to-face meetings during COVID-19 (â=â0.75[SD1.8]). Many of the meetings were accessed from sites remote from their homes (44.4%), even overseas (21.5%). The majority (64.9%) found virtual meetings at least as effective in promoting their abstinence as were face-to-face meetings, and 41.8% estimated the same for newcomers. A shorter period of antecedent abstinence from drugs and increased loneliness were associated with increased craving during the transition period. Relative to Whites, Black respondents were less distressed, with a lesser increase in craving, and currently attended more virtual meetings. Data provided by a national program reflected a large increase in virtual TS attendance since the onset of the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: In a survey of well-established NA members, most had made a successful transition from face-to-face to virtual meetings, relative to their antecedent characteristics. This successful transition suggests the possibility of an enhanced opportunity for stabilizing TS membership.
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cross cultural applicability of the 12 step model a comparison of Narcotics Anonymous in the usa and iran
Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2019Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, William L White, Brooke D HunterAbstract:OBJECTIVE Narcotics Anonymous (NA), a nonprofessional 12-step fellowship for people seeking recovery from addiction, reports 27,677 meetings in the USA, where it was founded, but there is limited literature on its adaptability cross-culturally. We studied NA within the Islamic Republic of Iran to ascertain its relative adaptation in a different cultural setting. METHOD We surveyed 262 NA members in Iran, supplemented by member interviews, and compared demographic and substance use-related characteristics of members, and also the nature of their respective involvement in NA, to the survey results of a previous US survey (n = 527). RESULTS NA in Iran reports 21,974 meetings. The Iranian respondents surveyed differed relatively little (d 0.50) in terms of reporting service as sponsors, experience of spiritual awakening, and achievement of diminished craving (scores of 1-10) (85% vs 48%; 95% vs 84%; 1.03 vs 1.89, respectively). Surveyed NA members in Iran publicized the fellowship with public (36%) and religious (20%) figures, and systematically worked the 12 steps in large sponsor-led groups ((Equation is included in full-text article.)= 19 members). CONCLUSION NA, a 12-step program developed in a Western, predominantly Christian-oriented country, was adapted widely in the Islamic Republic of Iran, a setting different in culture, language, ethnicity, and religious orientation. The growth in its membership derives, in part, from specific innovations that may have broader applicability in other settings.
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the paucity of attention to Narcotics Anonymous in current public professional and policy responses to rising opioid addiction
Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 2016Co-Authors: William B White, Marc Galanter, Keith Humphreys, John F KellyAbstract:Increased opioid-related morbidity and mortality in the United States has triggered considerable professional, public, and political alarm and a wide array of community and clinical responses. The ...
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Narcotics Anonymous a comparison of military veterans and non veterans
Journal of Addictive Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, Helen Dermatis, Cristal SampsonAbstract:Substance use disorder, which is often comorbid with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a problem confronted by many veterans. To determine the potential utility of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) for veterans, 508 NA attendees were studied. Veterans (n = 172) were more likely to have been referred by a professional than were non-veterans (77% vs. 27%, respectively); 70% had been hospitalized for alcohol or drug problems, and 51% had been treated for non-substance psychological problems. The 70% of veterans who reported at least 1 of 3 service-related stressful experiences were more likely to report PTSD-related symptoms. NA can serve as a recovery resource for certain veterans with substance use disorders, with or without PTSD.
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spirituality based recovery from drug addiction in the twelve step fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous
Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2013Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, Helen Dermatis, Stephen G Post, Cristal SampsonAbstract:Background: Narcotics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship that employs the Twelve-Step model for members dependent on drugs of abuse. The spiritual orientation of its program of abstinence has not been subjected to empirical study. Methods: Responses of 527 American Narcotics Anonymous meetingattendeestoastructuredquestionnairewereevaluatedfortheroles of cognitive and psychosocial aspects of spirituality in their recovery. Results: Respondents had last used drugs or alcohol on average 6.1 years previously. They were found to be more oriented toward a spiritualthanaformallyreligiousorientationthanprobabilitysamples of the general population. Aspects of membership such as affiliation towardothermembersandtheexperienceofspiritualawakeningwere associated with lower rates of drug or alcohol craving, whereas scores on depression were associated with higher craving scores. Conclusions: Spiritual renewal combined with an abstinenceoriented regimen in the Narcotics Anonymous social context can play a role in long-term recovery from drug addiction.
Cristal Sampson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Narcotics Anonymous a comparison of military veterans and non veterans
Journal of Addictive Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, Helen Dermatis, Cristal SampsonAbstract:Substance use disorder, which is often comorbid with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a problem confronted by many veterans. To determine the potential utility of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) for veterans, 508 NA attendees were studied. Veterans (n = 172) were more likely to have been referred by a professional than were non-veterans (77% vs. 27%, respectively); 70% had been hospitalized for alcohol or drug problems, and 51% had been treated for non-substance psychological problems. The 70% of veterans who reported at least 1 of 3 service-related stressful experiences were more likely to report PTSD-related symptoms. NA can serve as a recovery resource for certain veterans with substance use disorders, with or without PTSD.
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spirituality based recovery from drug addiction in the twelve step fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous
Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2013Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, Helen Dermatis, Stephen G Post, Cristal SampsonAbstract:Background: Narcotics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship that employs the Twelve-Step model for members dependent on drugs of abuse. The spiritual orientation of its program of abstinence has not been subjected to empirical study. Methods: Responses of 527 American Narcotics Anonymous meetingattendeestoastructuredquestionnairewereevaluatedfortheroles of cognitive and psychosocial aspects of spirituality in their recovery. Results: Respondents had last used drugs or alcohol on average 6.1 years previously. They were found to be more oriented toward a spiritualthanaformallyreligiousorientationthanprobabilitysamples of the general population. Aspects of membership such as affiliation towardothermembersandtheexperienceofspiritualawakeningwere associated with lower rates of drug or alcohol craving, whereas scores on depression were associated with higher craving scores. Conclusions: Spiritual renewal combined with an abstinenceoriented regimen in the Narcotics Anonymous social context can play a role in long-term recovery from drug addiction.
Helen Dermatis - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Narcotics Anonymous a comparison of military veterans and non veterans
Journal of Addictive Diseases, 2014Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, Helen Dermatis, Cristal SampsonAbstract:Substance use disorder, which is often comorbid with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a problem confronted by many veterans. To determine the potential utility of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) for veterans, 508 NA attendees were studied. Veterans (n = 172) were more likely to have been referred by a professional than were non-veterans (77% vs. 27%, respectively); 70% had been hospitalized for alcohol or drug problems, and 51% had been treated for non-substance psychological problems. The 70% of veterans who reported at least 1 of 3 service-related stressful experiences were more likely to report PTSD-related symptoms. NA can serve as a recovery resource for certain veterans with substance use disorders, with or without PTSD.
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spirituality based recovery from drug addiction in the twelve step fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous
Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2013Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, Helen Dermatis, Stephen G Post, Cristal SampsonAbstract:Background: Narcotics Anonymous is a worldwide fellowship that employs the Twelve-Step model for members dependent on drugs of abuse. The spiritual orientation of its program of abstinence has not been subjected to empirical study. Methods: Responses of 527 American Narcotics Anonymous meetingattendeestoastructuredquestionnairewereevaluatedfortheroles of cognitive and psychosocial aspects of spirituality in their recovery. Results: Respondents had last used drugs or alcohol on average 6.1 years previously. They were found to be more oriented toward a spiritualthanaformallyreligiousorientationthanprobabilitysamples of the general population. Aspects of membership such as affiliation towardothermembersandtheexperienceofspiritualawakeningwere associated with lower rates of drug or alcohol craving, whereas scores on depression were associated with higher craving scores. Conclusions: Spiritual renewal combined with an abstinenceoriented regimen in the Narcotics Anonymous social context can play a role in long-term recovery from drug addiction.
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abstinence from drugs of abuse in community based members of Narcotics Anonymous
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 2013Co-Authors: Marc Galanter, Helen Dermatis, Stephen G Post, Courtney SantucciAbstract:Objective:Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an abstinence-based fellowship with more than 58,000 groups worldwide. There has, however, been little research reported on its members. This study was designed to clarify the nature of the participants in NA who are primarily abstinent, long-term members.Method:A protocol was implemented to survey members at 10 NA group meetings in three different states, through the cooperation of the NA World Service Office. A 51-item self-administered questionnaire, addressing key aspects of substance use and recovery, was Anonymously completed by 396 respondents.Results:Respondents were 71.5% male; the mean age was 38.1 years; 68.2% were White; and the principal drug problems comprised cocaine (28.5%), heroin (27.5%), other opiates (13.4%), methamphetamine (12.9%), alcohol (8.6%), marijuana (6.6%), and other stimulants (2.5%). Eighty-seven percent had prior treatment for a substance use disorder. On average respondents had first encountered NA at age 26.9, they had been abstinent...
John Kelly - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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recovery from opioid problems in the us population prevalence pathways and psychological well being
Journal of Addiction Medicine, 2020Co-Authors: Lauren A Hoffman, Corrie L Vilsaint, John KellyAbstract:OBJECTIVES Research has enhanced our understanding of opioid misuse prevalence and consequences, but few studies have examined recovery from opioid problems. Estimating national recovery prevalence and characterizing individuals who have resolved opioid problems can inform policy and clinical approaches to address opioid misuse. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional investigation of a nationally-representative sample of US adults who reported opioid problem resolution (OPI). For reference, OPI was compared with an alcohol problem resolution group (ALC). Analyses estimated OPI/ALC prevalence, differences in treatment/recovery service use, and psychological well-being, within 2 recovery windows: <1 year (early recovery) and 1 to 5 years (mid-recovery) since OPI/ALC problem resolution. RESULTS Of those who reported alcohol or drug use problem resolution, weighted problem resolution prevalence was 5.3% for opioids (early recovery 1.2%, mid-recovery 2.2%) and 51.2% for alcohol (early recovery 7.0%, mid-recovery 11.5%). In mid-recovery, lifetime use of formal treatment, pharmacotherapy, recovery support services, mutual help, and current pharmacotherapy were more prevalent in OPI than ALC. Service utilization did not differ between early-recovery OPI and ALC. Common services used by OPI included inpatient treatment (37.8%) and state/local recovery organizations (24.4%) in mid-recovery; outpatient treatment (25.7%) and recovery community centers (27.2%) in early recovery; Narcotics Anonymous (40.2%-57.8%) and buprenorphine-naloxone (15.3%-26.7%) in both recovery cohorts. Regarding well-being, OPI reported higher self-esteem than ALC in early recovery, and lower self-esteem than ALC in mid-recovery. CONCLUSIONS An estimated 1.2 million American adults report resolving an opioid problem. Given the service use outcomes and longer-term problem resolution of mid-recovery OPI, early-recovery OPI may require encouragement to utilize additional or more intensive services to achieve longer-term recovery. OPI beyond recovery-year 1 may need enhanced support to address deficient self-esteem and promote well-being.
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emerging adults treatment outcomes in relation to 12 step mutual help attendance and active involvement
Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2013Co-Authors: John Kelly, Robert L Stout, Valerie SlaymakerAbstract:Abstract Background Participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) during and following treatment has been found to confer recovery-related benefit among adults and adolescents, but little is known about emerging adults (18–24 years). This transitional life-stage is distinctive for greater distress, higher density of psychopathology, and poorer treatment and continuing care compliance. Greater knowledge would inform the utility of treatment referrals to 12-step organizations for this age-group. Methods Emerging adults ( N = 303; 18–24 years; 26% female; 95% White; 51% comorbid [SCID-derived] axis I disorders) enrolled in a naturalistic study of residential treatment effectiveness assessed at intake, 3, 6, and 12 months on 12-step attendance and involvement and treatment outcomes (percent days abstinent [PDA]; percent days heavy drinking [PDHD]). Lagged hierarchical linear models (HLMs) tested whether attendance and involvement conferred recovery benefits, controlling for a variety of confounds. Results The percentage attending 12-step meetings prior to treatment (36%) rose sharply at 3 months (89%), was maintained at 6 months (82%), but declined at 12 months (76%). Average attendance peaked at about 3 times per week at 3 months dropping to just over once per week at 12 months. Initially high, but similarly diminishing, levels of active 12-step involvement were also observed. Lagged HLMs found beneficial effects for attendance, but stronger effects, which increased over time, for active involvement. Several active 12-step involvement indices were associated individually with outcome benefits. Conclusions Ubiquitous 12-step organizations may provide a supportive recovery context for this high-risk population at a developmental stage where non-using/sober peers are at a premium.
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influence of religiosity on 12 step participation and treatment response among substance dependent adolescents
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 2011Co-Authors: John Kelly, Robert L Stout, Maria E Pagano, Shannon M JohnsonAbstract:Objective: Religious practices among adults are as- sociated with more 12-step participation which, in turn, is linked to better treatment outcomes. Despite recommendations for adolescents to participate in mutual-help groups, little is known about how religious practices infl uence youth 12-step engagement and outcomes. This study examined the relationships among lifetime religiosity, during-treatment 12-step participation, and outcomes among adolescents, and tested whether any observed benefi cial relation between higher religiosity and outcome could be explained by increased 12-step participation. Method: Adolescents (n = 195; 52% female, ages 14-18) court-referred to a 2-month residential treatment were assessed at intake and discharge. Lifetime religiosity was assessed with the Religious Background and Behaviors Questionnaire; 12-step assessments measured meeting atten- dance, step work (General Alcoholics Anonymous Tools of Recovery), and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)/Narcotics Anonymous (NA)-related helping. Substance-related outcomes and psychosocial outcomes were assessed with toxicology screens, the Adolescent-Obsessive Compul- sive Drinking Scale, the Children's Global Assessment Scale, and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. Results: Greater lifetime formal religious practices at intake were associated with increased step work and AA/NA-related helping during treatment, which in turn were linked to improved substance outcomes, global functioning, and reduced narcis- sistic entitlement. Increased step work mediated the effect of religious practices on increased abstinence, whereas AA/NA-related helping mediated the effect of religiosity on reduced craving and entitlement. Conclusions: Findings extend the evidence for the protective effects of lifetime religious behaviors to an improved treatment response among adolescents and provide preliminary support for the 12-step proposition that helping others in recovery may lead to better outcomes. Youth with low or no lifetime religious practices may assimilate less well into 12- step-oriented treatment and may need additional 12-step facilitation, or a different approach, to enhance treatment response. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 72, 1000-1011, 2011)
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social recovery model an 8 year investigation of adolescent 12 step group involvement following inpatient treatment
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2008Co-Authors: John Kelly, Sandra A Brown, Ana M Abrantes, Christopher W Kahler, Mark G MyersAbstract:Despite limited experimental evidence in support of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a “stand alone” intervention (e.g., Ferri, Amato et al, 2006), a large body of quasi-experimental and correlational research indicates that post-treatment attendance at mutual-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), is consistently associated with improved substance use outcomes for a wide variety of alcohol dependent patients and may help reduce health care costs (Bond et al., 2003; Gossop et al, 2007; Humphreys, 2004; Humphreys and Moos, 2001; 2007; Kaskutas et al., 2002; Kelly, 2003; Kelly et al., 2006; Kissin et al., 2003; Magura et al., 2005; McKay, 2001; Tonigan et al., 2002; Weiss et al., 2005). Consequently, newer, state of the art interventions, such as those tested in the COMBINE Study, incorporate standard referral to such groups (Longabaugh et al., 2005; Pettinati et al., 2005) and prominent addiction and mental health focused organizations advocate use of these resources in practice guidelines(e.g., American Psychiatric Association, 2006; Institute of Medicine, 1998; National Insititue of Drug Abuse, 2000; Veterans Health Administration, 2001). While clinical confidence in the utility of these resources has increased for adults, comparatively little is known about how helpful these organizations are as continuing care resources for adolescents, despite widespread use of 12-step treatment approaches and referrals to AA/NA groups by youth treatment providers (Brown, 2004; Drug Strategies, 2003; Kelly et al., in press b). Available adolescent-specific evidence is limited in quantity and in methodological rigor (Kelly and Myers, 2007), but suggests that youth who participate in 12-step fellowships have better treatment outcomes, at least in the short-term (Brown, Mott and Myers, 1990; Alford et al., 1991; Kennedy and Minami, 1993; Hsieh et al., 1998; Kelly et al., 2000; Kelly et al, 2002). However, despite this body of research, there remain a number of key questions that have not been fully answered regarding the role of AA/NA in youth recovery following treatment. For example, we still know very little about the proportions of treated youth that actually utilize AA/NA, and which youth, in particular, are more or less likely to attend. Similarly, little is known regarding the extent to which adolescents benefit from AA/NA over the longer-term and whether some minimum threshold of attendance is needed before benefits may be realized.
George Christo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Drug users' spiritual beliefs, locus of control and the disease concept in relation to Narcotics Anonymous attendance and six-month outcomes
Drug and alcohol dependence, 1995Co-Authors: George Christo, Christine FraneyAbstract:Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is an important support network for drug users emerging from abstinence based treatments. However, the views of NA on ‘spirituality’ and the ‘disease’ nature of addiction could be seen as encouraging an external attributional style and have been cited as reasons for non-attendance. After 6 months ninety percent of 101 drug users in treatment were followed up. Narcotics Anonymous attendance was inversely related to drug use for those who had left residential care. We found that spiritual beliefs and disease concept beliefs were not prerequisites for attendance of NA. Spiritual beliefs were not found to cause external attributions for previous drug use or possible future lapse events. It emerged that the most powerful predictors of nonattendence were positive attitudes to the use of alcohol. Treatment implications are discussed.
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anxiety and self esteem as a function of abstinence time among recovering addicts attending Narcotics Anonymous
British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 1994Co-Authors: George Christo, Stephen SuttonAbstract:Among 200 members of Narcotics Anonymous (NA), those who had been off drugs and in contact with NA for longer tended to have lower trait anxiety and higher self-esteem scores, the relationship in each case being approximately linear. Those abstinent for longer than about three years had levels of anxiety and self-esteem similar to those in a comparison group of 60 students.
