In contrast to the lack of distinguishing demographic characteristics, several clinical factors have consistently differentiated those who become highly involved in 12-step programs. This study explores the influence of demographic, clinical, belief, and AA factors on initial participation in AAH. If helping assists the helper to stay sober, what are the precipitating characteristics of treatment-seeking alcoholics who go on to help other alcoholics? Although a copious literature examines predictors of 12-step affiliation broadly, little is currently known about the conditions facilitating active engagement in AA service activities. The current investigation extends prior work on service in alcohol research using data from Project MATCH (Matching Alcoholism Treatments to Client Heterogeneity Project MATCH Research Group, 1993, 1997) to identify precipitating conditions of initial participation in AA-related helping (AAH). An emerging body of literature points to the helper health benefits ( Post, 2007) and sobriety benefits ( Emrick et al., 1993 Pagano et al., 2004, 2007 Zemore and Kaskutas, 2004 Zemore and Pagano, 2008). AA literature explains: “The average alcoholic, self-centered in the extreme, doesn't care for this prospect -unless he has to do these things in order to stay alive himself” (AA, 2001, pp. Yet it is doubtful that betterment of the group alone is what motivates recovering alcoholics to give service. AA's emphasis on members helping other alcoholics builds a certain infrastructure to maintain operations, which may be partly responsible for AA's international presence and longevity ( Emrick et al., 1993 McIntire, 2000 Tonigan et al., 1996). Service work has a clear benefit to the survival of an organization. The role of a sponsor is to help other alcoholics to stay sober by sharing experiences and assisting their progress through the 12 steps. Service work ranges from visiting detoxification centers to being a sponsor. Likewise, the 12th step is often taken as synonymous with helping and reads, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics ( italics added), and to practice these principles in all our affairs” (AA, 1981, p. One side of the triangle is Service, defined in the context of AA as “anything whatever that legitimately helps us to reach fellow sufferers” (AA, 1985, p. The symbol for alcoholics anonymous (AA), emblazed on celebratory coins members receive for accumulating periods of sobriety, is a triangle representing AA's three core dimensions.
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