title: Toward enhancing 12-step facilitation among young people: a systematic qualitative investigation of young adults' 12-step experiences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  12-Step Facilitation (TSF) interventions designed to enhance rates of engagement with 12-step mutual-help organizations (MHOs) have shown efficacy among adults, but research provides little guidance on how to adapt TSF strategies for young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  To inform TSF strategies for youth, this study used qualitative methods to investigate the self-reported experiences of 12-step participation, and reasons for nonattendance and discontinuation among young adults (18-24 years; N = 302). Responses to open-ended questions following residential treatment were coded into rationally derived domains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Young adults reported that cohesiveness, belonging, and instillation of hope were the most helpful aspects of attending 12-step groups; meeting structure and having to motivate oneself to attend meetings were the most common aspects young adults liked least; logistical barriers and low recovery motivation and interest were the most common reasons for discontinued attendance; and perceptions that one did not have a problem or needed treatment were cited most often as reasons for never attending.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings may inform and enhance strategies intended to engage young people with community-based recovery-focused 12-step MHOs and ultimately improve recovery outcomes.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Addiction Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, and Harvard Medical School , Boston , Massachusetts , USA.
authors.forename: Allison K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Labbe
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Slaymaker
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D065026:Hope; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 12-step; 12-step facilitation; Alcoholics Anonymous; mutual-help organizations; qualitative research; self-help; young adults
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