Table 3.

Perceived Benefits, Limitations and Dangers of 12-step groups among Outpatient Drug User Treatment Clients and Clinicians

	Clients	Clinicians
Benefits of 12-step groups……………	N =101	N = 102
Opportunity to improve yourself and your life	24%	25%
Support, fellowship with peers	18	37
Help with sobriety and recovery	20	30
Emotional well-being	8	0
Role models/positive environment for a drug-free life	0	8
Remembering where you came from	5	0
Misc. other	2	0
Don’t know, not sure	23	0
Limitations of 12-step groups….
No limitations	7%	29%
Denial/You have to want it/need motivation	31	25
Cannot change everything in your life	7	0
Cannot provide concrete services	4	0
Negative mentions (e.g., triggers relapse, cahotic)	0	14
It is not for everyone (e.g, on medications)	0	10
Negative comparisons to formal treatment	0	10
Convenience	0	3
Religious aspect	0	2
Confidentiality issues	0	2
Clients limitations (insecure, anxious)	0	5
Don’t know, not sure	51	0
Potential dangers of 12-step groups	N =101	N = 102
Nothing	33%	44%
Not hearing what is said, does not address denial	13	19
Expecting too much /Not recognizing need for other kinds of help	6	0
Risk of confronting sensitive issues without professional help	2	9
Can trigger relapse	5	4
Breach confidentiality/Lack of anonymity	3	2
Getting bad feedback/listening to wrong person	3	3
Members can become overly dependent on the group	0	4
No professional supervision/Groups not monitored	0	3
Attend groups for social aspects only, e.g. meet male/female	0	3
Availability/instability of groups	0	2
Being mandated to go	0	1
Not being able to identify with other members	0	1
Misc. Other	5	5
Don’t know	30	0