Do enhanced friendship networks and active coping mediate the effect of self-help groups on substance abuse?

groups are the most commonly sought source of help for substance abuse prob lems, but few studies have evaluated the mechanisms through which they exer t their effects on members. The present project evaluates mediators of the effects of self-help groups in a sample of 2,337 male veterans who were tre ated for substance abuse. The majority of participants became involved in s elf-help groups after inpatient treatment, and this involvement predicted r educed substance use at 1-year follow-up. Both enhanced friendship networks and increased active coping responses appeared to mediate these effects. I mplications for self-help groups and professional treatments are discussed.