FAQ: 12-Step, Self-Help Programs for Drug Addiction

Written by National Institute on Drug Abuse

9. Where do 12-step or self-help programs fit into drug addiction treatment?

Self-help groups can complement and extend the effects of professional treatment. The most prominent self-help groups are those affiliated with:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA),
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and
• Cocaine Anonymous (CA),

all of which are based on the 12-step model, and Smart Recovery®. Most drug addiction treatment programs encourage patients to participate in a self-help group during and after formal treatment.

Source: National Institute of Drug Abuse, "Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research Based Guide."

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