ALCOHOLICS-ANONYMOUS AFFILIATION DURING EARLY RECOVERY

This study analyzed the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) participation of 55 patients during the 3 months after their discharge from structured tre atment, when dropout is high. Three levels of meeting attendance were discerned: low, mid-level, and ''90 meetings in 90 days.'' Of greatest interest, the midlevel group showed mired interest in AA practices de spite substantial meeting attendance, that is, they admitted powerless ness, but had less enthusiasm for the higher power concept, and relaps ed significantly; they were likely to have a sponsor; but were less in volved with other AA members; and they reported working the 12 Steps, but were less interested in the AA literature. Findings suggest that i ndividuals who are attending AA but having difficulty embracing key as pects of the program need professional assistance that focuses more on AA practices and tenets and less on meeting attendance. Barriers to a ffiliation can also serve as opportunities for furthering both counsel ing goals and affiliation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.