/ournal of Substance Abuse, 7, 3 1 l-3 18 (1995) Twelve-Step Program Use Among Oxford House Residents: Spirituality or Social Support in Sobriety? Michele A. Nealon-Woods Joseph R. Ferrari Leonard A. Jason DePaul University zyxwvutsrqponm Oxford House is a self-help, self-governed, democratic communal-living envi- ronment for recovering alcoholics and polysubstance abusers. In this study, 134 male residents (M age = 34 years old) were personally interviewed on their recovery process and, in particular, on their experiences with 12-step programs such zyxwvutsrqponmlkjihgfedc as Alco- holics Anonymous (AA). Most residents (76%) reported they attended weekly AA meetings to assist in their recovery, mainly to acquire effective techniques to main- tain sobriety (72%). Many AA attendees (43%) claimed no sense of spirituality prior to joining AA, and for most of these men (71’S), attendance at weekly meetings w as not motivated by “ spirituality” aspects of the program. In contrast, the majority of residents (53%) attending weekly AA meetings claimed that a sense of fellowship with similar recovering others was their reason for program involvement. It appears that among men living in a communal setting with other recovering addicts, the need for social support for sobriety from similar others continues beyond the con- fines of their residence. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been a well-known recovery support option for over 50 years, serving men and women in the United States and around the world (McCrady & Miller, 1993). The aim of AA is to assist recovering alcoholics and polysubstance users to achieve and maintain abstinence through completion of 12 steps toward recovery. Each AA member is encouraged to progress at his/ her own pace toward recovery. Sharing experience, hope, and strength ap- pears to facilitate healing and recovery. Members of AA acknowledge their de- pendency and powerlessness over alcohol through self-disclosure, and they advance through the 12 steps at self-help meetings typically held each week Portions of this study were presented at the annual meeting of the Easterr~ Psychological Association (1995, April), Boston, MA. Gratitude is expressed to the men residing in Oxford House across Illinois who volunteered to participate in this study, and to J. Paul Malloy of Oxford House, Inc., who provided insight and guidance during the study. We also thank the many research associates who interviewed residents, particularly Paula Dvorchak, Erik Groessl, Barbara Smith, and Patricia Marsh. Correspondence and requests for reprints should be sent to Joseph R. Ferrari, Department of Psychology, DePaul University, 2219 N. Kenmore Ave., Chicago, IL 60614. 311