K. Humphreys et al., THE RELATIONSHIP OF PRETREATMENT ALCOHOLICS-ANONYMOUS AFFILIATION WITH PROBLEM SEVERITY, SOCIAL RESOURCES AND TREATMENT HISTORY, Drug and alcohol dependence, 49(2), 1998, pp. 123-131
Little research has examined the relationship of substance abuse patie
nts' prior Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) affiliation to important treatmen
t-related variables. This study of 927 individuals seeking treatment i
n public, health maintenance organization (HMO) and private-for-profit
medical programs, found that 82.8% of patients presented at treatment
with a history of AA affiliation. Degree of prior AA affiliation was
significantly associated with more extensive prior utilization of form
al and informal helping resources, current seeking of treatment in the
public sector, having low income, being divorced/separated and having
more severe alcohol, employment/support and psychiatric problems. Imp
lications for service delivery and future research are discussed. (C)
1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.