Commitment in AA movement : a guarantee of happiness
Context : Alcoholics Anonymous remains one of the most commonly used sources of support for alcoholics worldwide. It offers rehabilitation process based on the twelve-step program and sustained by an anonymous fellowship for mutual support, and besides remission aims to rebuild the individual’s life without alcohol and help him or her achieve a state of well-being. Few studies have explored the quality of life of abstinent members. Instead most literature has focused on analyzing the success in achieving and maintaining abstinence among the members. Objectives : This study aims to assess a mediation model exploring the relationship between involvement in the AA movement, both in the program and the fellowship, and psychological well-being of old-timers, while taking into account the quality of their experience with abstinence. Study selection and data extraction : The sample consisted of 168 AA members, who have been abstinent and members of AA for an extended period of time, called ‘old-timers’, for a response rate of 49 %. A self-administered questionnaire assessed involvement in the fellowship, involvement in the 12-step program, level of psychological well-being, including happiness, life satisfaction and meaning in life, and the subjective evaluation of the experience of abstinence. Results : AA members reported a high level of psychological well-being, strong involvement in the fellowship, and an adherence to the 12 steps. Socialization with members seems to have a greater effect on happiness and life satisfaction, while the application of the maintenance steps allowed a positive experience of abstinence, and mediated positively the effect on life satisfaction and meaning in life. Conclusion : Old-timers members reported to be happy, satisfied in life and finding meaning in living. The mutual support in the fellowship through experiences of giving and receiving help appear to contribute significantly to the psychological well-being of old-timers.