Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous affiliation among meeting attendees in Romania: a mixed methods approach

Background: While alcohol use disorder is a significant social problem in Romania, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) affiliation is scarce despite proven benefits.Objectives: To identify differences between highly and low/nonaffiliated individuals and AA affiliation' associated benefits.Methods: A mixed-method research employed in Romania (n = 24,12 males,12 females; length of sobriety in days, M highly affiliated = 3406, M low/nonaffiliated = 220) comprised measures of organizational commitment, spirituality, well-being, mental health, and addiction and in-depth interviews. T-tests and thematic analysis were used.Results: Quantitative findings showed significant differences in affective organizational commitment (d = 1.1, p = .01), number of completed AA Steps (d = 2.5, p < .005), positive religious coping (d = 1.1, p = .01), anxiety (d = - .9, p = .03), craving (d = - 2, p < .005), commitment to sobriety (d = 1.4, p = .005), confidence on staying sober (d = 1.4, p = .005), abstinence self-efficacy (temptation: d = 1.6, p = .001; confidence: d = .9, p = .03) and desire for abstinence (overall: d = 1.3, p = .004; intention: d = 1.4, p = .002; attitude: d = 1.1, p = .01; subjective norm: d = .9, p = .03; perceived control: d = 1.4, p = .002). Interview data revealed two main themes: Characteristics of highly affiliated individuals and Characteristics of low/nonaffiliated individuals.Conclusion: Highly affiliated individuals are more likely to maintain sobriety, obtain spiritual benefits, improve their mental health, and become committed to recovery. Low/nonaffiliated individuals can still receive some benefits from attending AA meetings.