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Schedule:
Friday, January 12, 2024
Marquis BR Salon 6, ML 2 (Marriott Marquis Washington DC)
* noted as presenting author
Background
There has been much concern about heightened alcohol and other drug use since the onset of the COVID pandemic, with studies reporting an increase in substance-related deaths in the United States. Mutual aid groups, in particular 12-step programs, are an essential support for many people in recovery. Due to the COVID-19 emergency in 2020, many 12-step programs rapidly transitioned to online meeting formats. Yet, few studies have explored the impact of this change for 12-step program members. Therefore, this qualitative study was developed to explore 12-step program members’ perceptions regarding how web-based meetings compare to in-person meetings and examine ways in which this change in format has influenced members’ recovery from substance problems.
Methods
Focus groups were conducted to explore 12-step members’ experiences transitioning to online meetings. Specific questions included: (1) How would you compare your experiences participating in online 12-step groups with in-person groups?; (2) How has participating in online versus in-person meetings affected your recovery?; (3) What recommendations would you have to improve the experience of online meetings?; (4) As in-person 12-step meetings become more prevalent again, would you choose primarily to attend meetings online, in-person, or both?
To recruit participants, several social workers distributed study details to adults they knew who attended 12-step programs for substance problems. These individuals were encouraged to share this information with other 12-step members. Characteristics of the 17 study participants were as follows: sex (59% male), race/ethnicity (65% White, 24% Black, 6% Latino, 6% Asian), and region of residence (7 in Massachusetts, 6 in New York, and one each in Connecticut, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas).
Two focus groups were administered in August 2021 using Zoom. Both sessions were recorded, and audio files were utilized for transcription. Informed by a phenomenological approach, four analysts coded data and then met to coalesce themes and consolidate results. Study procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the lead investigators’ academic institution.
Results
Based on analysis of data collected from the focus groups, six themes were identified: (1) accessibility and convenience of online meetings; (2) greater diversity of meetings and members in online meetings; (3) more human contact and energy at in-person meetings; (4) technological challenges of online meetings; (5) issues of service, fellowship, and sponsorship; and (6) from emergency situation to routine modality.
Conclusion
This study found that online meetings were viewed with skepticism by many members of the 12-step community prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but have since become a routine option. Participants reported that both online and in-person meetings have advantages and disadvantages. For example, while respondents noted greater ease in attending online meetings, many missed the social connections experienced during in-person groups. As behavioral health providers engage in community-informed practice, it is important that they recognize the value of both in-person and online 12-step meetings and to familiarize themselves with how each modality may be most beneficial in regard to the individual needs of clients in recovery.
There has been much concern about heightened alcohol and other drug use since the onset of the COVID pandemic, with studies reporting an increase in substance-related deaths in the United States. Mutual aid groups, in particular 12-step programs, are an essential support for many people in recovery. Due to the COVID-19 emergency in 2020, many 12-step programs rapidly transitioned to online meeting formats. Yet, few studies have explored the impact of this change for 12-step program members. Therefore, this qualitative study was developed to explore 12-step program members’ perceptions regarding how web-based meetings compare to in-person meetings and examine ways in which this change in format has influenced members’ recovery from substance problems.
Methods
Focus groups were conducted to explore 12-step members’ experiences transitioning to online meetings. Specific questions included: (1) How would you compare your experiences participating in online 12-step groups with in-person groups?; (2) How has participating in online versus in-person meetings affected your recovery?; (3) What recommendations would you have to improve the experience of online meetings?; (4) As in-person 12-step meetings become more prevalent again, would you choose primarily to attend meetings online, in-person, or both?
To recruit participants, several social workers distributed study details to adults they knew who attended 12-step programs for substance problems. These individuals were encouraged to share this information with other 12-step members. Characteristics of the 17 study participants were as follows: sex (59% male), race/ethnicity (65% White, 24% Black, 6% Latino, 6% Asian), and region of residence (7 in Massachusetts, 6 in New York, and one each in Connecticut, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas).
Two focus groups were administered in August 2021 using Zoom. Both sessions were recorded, and audio files were utilized for transcription. Informed by a phenomenological approach, four analysts coded data and then met to coalesce themes and consolidate results. Study procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board of the lead investigators’ academic institution.
Results
Based on analysis of data collected from the focus groups, six themes were identified: (1) accessibility and convenience of online meetings; (2) greater diversity of meetings and members in online meetings; (3) more human contact and energy at in-person meetings; (4) technological challenges of online meetings; (5) issues of service, fellowship, and sponsorship; and (6) from emergency situation to routine modality.
Conclusion
This study found that online meetings were viewed with skepticism by many members of the 12-step community prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but have since become a routine option. Participants reported that both online and in-person meetings have advantages and disadvantages. For example, while respondents noted greater ease in attending online meetings, many missed the social connections experienced during in-person groups. As behavioral health providers engage in community-informed practice, it is important that they recognize the value of both in-person and online 12-step meetings and to familiarize themselves with how each modality may be most beneficial in regard to the individual needs of clients in recovery.