12-Step Programs to Reduce Illicit Drug Use

Authors

  • Sine Kirkegaard Nielsen The National Centre for Social Research (SFI)
  • Trine Filges The National Centre for Social Research (SFI)
  • Anne-Marie Klint Jørgensen The National Centre for Social Research (SFI)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2014.03.08

Keywords:

12-step, TSF, illicit drugs, mapping, literature review

Abstract

Many treatments are not rigorously evaluated as to their effectiveness, and it is uncertain which types of interventions are more effective than others in reducing illicit drug use. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic mapping of the research literature of the effectiveness of 12-step programs in reducing illicit drug use. A systematic literature search was conducted based on 17 international and Nordic bibliographic databases. A total of 15,993 references were screened, and eleven unique studies were finally included in this mapping. The included studies demonstrated conflicting results regarding the effectiveness of the 12-step treatment and TSF in reducing individuals' drug use. Two studies reported a positive effect of the TSF treatment compared to the comparison conditions in reducing drug use. Six studies reported no differences between the 12-step program and the comparison condition, and the remaining three studies reported a greater effect of the comparison condition. However, the included studies demonstrate that, in general, 12-step programs and the comparison conditions have some positive effects in reducing drug use and supporting abstinence among the participants.

Author Biographies

Sine Kirkegaard Nielsen, The National Centre for Social Research (SFI)

Research Assistant in the department of Social policy and welfare services 

Trine Filges, The National Centre for Social Research (SFI)

Senior Researcher and phD (Econ) in the department of Trials Unit

Anne-Marie Klint Jørgensen, The National Centre for Social Research (SFI)

Information Specialist  and  librarian in the department of Trials Unit

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Published

2014-03-12

How to Cite

Nielsen, S. K., Filges, T., & Jørgensen, A.-M. K. (2014). 12-Step Programs to Reduce Illicit Drug Use. International Journal of Criminology and Sociology, 3, 100–107. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4409.2014.03.08

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