Relapse in Addicts Following the 12 Steps to Recovery from Addiction Program
1
Public Health, Dokuz Eylul University, Balcova/Izmir, Turkey
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2621
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
This study aimed to evaluate relapse rates as well as physical and psychological recovery among individuals with substance use disorders who participated in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and implemented the 12-Step Recovery Program in Türkiye. In addition, changes in substance-related perceptions and behaviors during the recovery process were examined.
METHODS:
This prospective longitudinal study included 82 individuals aged 18 years and older who were actively participating in NA and AA groups in Türkiye, implementing the 12-Step Program, and who provided informed consent. Participants were followed for six months in 2024. Data were collected using three validated scales: the Addiction Profile Index (API), the Moodist Relapse Index (MORI), and the Public Health Surveillance Well-Being Scale (PHS-WB), all of which have demonstrated validity and reliability in Türkiye. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS.
RESULTS:
Of the participants, 68% were male and 32% were female, and 53% had a university-level education. A statistically significant reduction in substance use was observed among participants who completed 12-Step Recovery Program (p<0.05). Participants also demonstrated significant decreases in perceiving substance use as problematic, tolerance development, loss of control, and failure in attempts to quit or reduce substance use (p<0.05). Furthermore, significant improvements were observed in physical and psychological well-being, as measured by the PHS-WB scale (p<0.05). During the follow-up period, relapse rates were 2% at baseline, 10% at three months, and 24% at six months. The substances most frequently involved in relapse episodes were cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids (bonzai), amphetamines, and alcohol.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings suggest that participation in 12-Step Recovery Program may contribute to physical and psychological recovery among individuals with substance use disorders and is associated with relatively low relapse rates over a six-month follow-up period. These results support the potential value of 12-step–based interventions as a public health approach.
This study aimed to evaluate relapse rates as well as physical and psychological recovery among individuals with substance use disorders who participated in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings and implemented the 12-Step Recovery Program in Türkiye. In addition, changes in substance-related perceptions and behaviors during the recovery process were examined.
METHODS:
This prospective longitudinal study included 82 individuals aged 18 years and older who were actively participating in NA and AA groups in Türkiye, implementing the 12-Step Program, and who provided informed consent. Participants were followed for six months in 2024. Data were collected using three validated scales: the Addiction Profile Index (API), the Moodist Relapse Index (MORI), and the Public Health Surveillance Well-Being Scale (PHS-WB), all of which have demonstrated validity and reliability in Türkiye. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS.
RESULTS:
Of the participants, 68% were male and 32% were female, and 53% had a university-level education. A statistically significant reduction in substance use was observed among participants who completed 12-Step Recovery Program (p<0.05). Participants also demonstrated significant decreases in perceiving substance use as problematic, tolerance development, loss of control, and failure in attempts to quit or reduce substance use (p<0.05). Furthermore, significant improvements were observed in physical and psychological well-being, as measured by the PHS-WB scale (p<0.05). During the follow-up period, relapse rates were 2% at baseline, 10% at three months, and 24% at six months. The substances most frequently involved in relapse episodes were cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids (bonzai), amphetamines, and alcohol.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings suggest that participation in 12-Step Recovery Program may contribute to physical and psychological recovery among individuals with substance use disorders and is associated with relatively low relapse rates over a six-month follow-up period. These results support the potential value of 12-step–based interventions as a public health approach.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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