Attitudes towards 12-step groups and referral practices in a 12-step naive treatment culture; a survey of addiction professionals in Norway

Addressing substance use disorders effectively requires a long-term approach. Substance abuse treatment is typically of short duration; referring patients to Twelve Step based self-help groups (TSGs) - e.g. Narcotics Anonymous, represents a promising complementary recovery resource. 

Clinicians' attitudes and referral practices towards the TSGs have mainly been studied in countries with high integration of the 12-step philosophy in their substance abuse services and where the TSGs are widely available, such as the US.

In Norway, there are currently 294 weekly TSG meetings (6 per 100,000 inhabitants).

This study describes clinicians' attitudes and referral practices to TSGs in Norway where health authorities seek to promote self-help participation, but where the treatment culture is unfamiliar with 12-step fellowships. 

Link to abstract: www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/9/147

Av Øistein Kristensen, Alexandre Laudet, Thomas Clausen, John-Kåre Vederhus
Publisert 26. apr. 2011 13:36 - Sist endret 20. juni 2011 14:23