Special Guest: Dr. John Kelly - The Science of 12 Step Facilitation

What Does Science Tell Us About The Effectiveness of 12 Step Treatment and Other Mutual Help Organizations In Addiction and Recovery? 

The most widely recognized 12 Step recovery organizations globally are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).   Most people who seek to get and stay sober are referred to a 12 Step recovery program at some point, and some people resist attending based on fear, shame, or the idea that 12 Step programs “don’t work”. 

Even within the 12 Step recovery community there is discussion, sometimes, about the effectiveness of these programs. Statistics are thrown around –both for and against – but what does the science say?  How effective are these programs?

Dr. John F. Kelly

On this episode, we were honored to have Dr. John F. Kelly as our guest.  Dr. Kelly is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, the founder and Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the Program Director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service (ARMS) and the Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine at MGH.

Dr. Kelly discusses with us how 12 Step recovery groups impact an individual’s recovery from a scientific perspective.   How well do these programs work?  Is there a difference in their effectiveness for early versus long-term recovery?  Are they more effective following a treatment program?  What studies have been done to demonstrate “success” rates of 12 step group members, and how exactly is “success” defined in this environment?

If you participate in a 12 Step recovery program, are considering participating or believe they don’t work but are curious to learn more, this show is for you.  

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