title: Characteristics of clinicians likely to refer clients to 12-Step programs versus a diversity of post-treatment options.
abstract: Most clients in substance abuse treatment are referred for continuing care. However, post-treatment services vary widely in their approaches to helping individuals achieve better substance use outcomes. This study examined the attitudes of outpatient treatment staff who refer clients exclusively to 12-Step groups (12-Step subgroup) and staff who refer clients both to 12-Step groups and to other continuing care options (Diversity subgroup) toward seven mutual-aid and professional psychosocial post-treatment options: Twelve-Step Programs (12-Step), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Moderation Management (MM), Smart Recovery((R)) (SMART), Psychodynamic-oriented Therapy (PSY), Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS), and Women for Sobriety (WFS). A large percentage of clinicians lacked knowledge about the effectiveness of all alternatives to 12-Step programs with the exception of CBT. Clinicians in the 12-Step subgroup were more likely than those in the Diversity subgroup to be unfamiliar with alternatives to 12-Step programs and to believe less strongly in the effectiveness of CBT and PSY. A logistic regression found beliefs about CBT effectiveness and clinician preference for the 12-Step model to be related to the likelihood of referring exclusively to 12-Step groups. Findings suggest that clinicians could benefit from information and training on assessing and referring clients to various options for continuing care.
authors.affiliation: Adelphi University, Garden City, NY 11530, United States. fenster@adelphi.edu
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fenster
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D010327:Pastoral Care; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States