Alcohol Abstinence Self-Efficacy and Recovery Using Alcoholics Anonymous®: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic health problem in the United States, with social, economic, and personal consequences. The purpose of the current integrative review was to examine recovery from AUD in adult Alcoholics Anonymous® (AA) members working the 12 steps. Databases were searched using a combination of search terms with inclusion criteria of human adult studies published in English between 2010 to 2020. Searching the references of retained records also identified other relevant studies for inclusion. Through the process of two searches and examination of retained records' reference lists, 20 articles were retained. AA outcomes frequently cited are abstinence, improved self-efficacy, improved psychosocial well-being, and improved social networks. These positive outcomes are linked to attendance and participation in AA. There is a deficiency of research specific to how AA works to achieve the ascribed outcomes. This identified gap in the state of the science lays the foundation for future research. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59(12), 33-39.].