Work

Factors Associated with Mental Health Clinicians' Referrals to 12-Step Groups

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: As substance use and mental illness services are increasingly integrated, mental health professionals are presented with opportunities to refer greater numbers of dually diagnosed clients to 12-Step groups. This study examined the relationships among clinicians' 12-Step experiences, attitudes, and referral practices in 6 mental health clinics in New York, New York. A path analysis model showed that greater interest in learning about 12-Step groups directly predicted 12-Step referral practices and that 12-Step interest was predicted by clinicians' perception of the helpfulness of 12-Step groups and the severity of their patients' problems with substance abuse. Clinicians' responses to open-ended questions supported this model. Didactic and experiential education for clinicians in substance abuse and mutual aid would likely increase patient referrals to 12-Step groups.

Source: Journal of Addictive Diseases

DOI: 10.1080/10550887.2012.694605

Authors: Harlan Matusow, Andrew Rosenblum, Chunki Fong, Alexandre Laudet, Thomas Uttaro, Stephen Magura

Institutions: National Development and Research Institutes, Western Michigan University

Language: English

Topic: Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Drug Abuse