David R. Groh

A Longitudinal Investigation of the Predictability of the Three-Factor Model of the Important People Inventory

Objective: Because of psychometric limitations and varied adaptations of the Important People Inventory (IP; a measure of alcohol social support), Groh et al. (7) performed factor analyses and created a three-factor model (i.e., Support for Drinking from Network Members, Drinking Behaviors of Network Members, and General Social Support). This present study examined the ability of the three-factor model to predict alcohol use. Methods: This study consisted of 293 women and 604 men who were US residents of a network of self-run recovery homes known as Oxford House (OH). Logistic regression models were run. The first model examined which of the three IP factors was the best predictor of alcohol use over a 4-month period; next, models compared Drinking Behaviors of Network Members (the three-factor model) and Network Support for Drinking from Network Members (the original two-factor model) as predictors of 4-month alcohol use. Results: Of the three factors measuring general support, network drinking behaviors, and support for drinking, Drinking Behaviors of Network Members was the only significant predictor of alcohol use over a 4-month period. Additionally, this component was a better predictor of drinking than the Support for Drinking from Network Members summary score from the original model. Conclusions: Compared to the original model, this new three-factor model of the IP is shorter, has stronger internal reliability, and is a better predictor of alcohol use over time. It is strongly recommended that researchers continue to explore the utility of this new model.

The Neighborhood Environments of Mutual-help Recovery Houses: Comparisons by Perceived Socio-economic Status

This study examined the setting and house-level characteristics of 160 self-governed, mutual-support substance abuse recovery homes, called Oxford Houses (OHs), across the United States. These dwellings were located in four different neighborhood types: upper or middle class (n = 23 houses), urban working or lower class (n = 71 houses), suburban upper or middle-class (n = 39 Houses), and suburban working or lower class (n = 27 houses). Interior dwelling characteristics and amenities located within a 2-block radius were similar across the four neighborhood types. However, houses in urban, working, and lower class neighborhoods reported more alcohol- or drug-intoxicated persons. Most importantly, despite the greater potential for environmental temptations and easier access for substances, none of the neighborhood factors including neighborhood socioeconomic status significantly predicted relapse rates over a 12-month period.

Coming to Terms With Reality: Predictors of Self-deception Within Substance Abuse Recovery

ObjectivesIt is argued that drug and alcohol addiction centers on denial and self-delusion, and successful recovery depends on coming to terms with such problems. Mutual-help programs for substance abuse recovery (eg, 12-step programs) and self-run recovery homes (eg, Oxford House) might decrease self-deception through emphasis on facing reality, strict abstinence rules, and empowering people to direct their own course of recovery. MethodsThe present study examined how recovery processes (12-step programs vs. recovery residence), substance use, and race/ethnicity predicted self-deception among adult residents of self-run recovery homes (359 men, 152 women). ResultsTwelve-step participation but not recovery home residency significantly predicted decreased self-deception across a 4-month period. In addition, race/ethnicity was a significant predictor of self-deception, with African Americans reporting higher levels of self-deception than participants of other racial groups. ConclusionsIt is suggested that substance abusing individuals look to 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous to reduce denial and gain a realistic self-view, critical steps in addiction recovery.

Oxford House and Alcoholics Anonymous: The Impact of Two Mutual-help Models on Abstinence

Two examples of mutual-help approaches for substance abuse recovery are 12-step groups (AA and NA) and Oxford House. The present study examined the combined effects of AA and Oxford House residence on abstinence over a 24-month period, with 150 individuals randomly assigned to either an Oxford House or to usual aftercare. Among individuals with high 12-step involvement, the addition of Oxford House residence significantly increased the odds of abstinence (87.5% vs. 52.9%). However, among participants with low 12-step involvement, rates of abstinence were fairly similar across conditions (31.4% vs. 21.2%). Results suggested that the joint effectiveness of these mutual-help programs may promote abstinence.

Abstinence Social Support: The Impact of Children in Oxford House.

The present study compared the characteristics of individuals living with (42 men, 52 women) and without children (561 men, 241 women) residing in a communal-living recovery program called Oxford Houses. Results indicated that men living with children and women living without children had more general social support, compared to men living without children and women living with children. Additionally, women and residents of adult-only houses reported having more drug users in their social networks. However, men and women living with and without children reported similar levels of social support for abstinence. It is suggested that that men in recovery who take care of their children are in situations more advantageous to sustained recovery and have more resources compared to recovering women with children. Women in substance abuse recovery and taking care of children may require additional resources and assistance compared to men.

Self-reports of Substance Abusers: The Relation between Social Desirability and Social Network Variables.

It is important to examine social desirability when interpreting self-report data from substance abusers. Social desirability is the tendency to respond on surveys that make people appear more favorable to others; thus, a strong desire for social approval is related to minimized reports of substance use. In the present study, the relationship between social desirability and different types of social support was examined within 582 residents of communal-living recovery homes (i.e., Oxford Houses). Although effect sizes were small, results may suggest that participants reported social network variables in a socially desirable manner; this tendency toward self-deception even predicted misrepresentations of these constructs 8 months later. In addition, self-reports of the substance use habits of friends and family were more prone to social desirability than the reporting of other social network characteristics. Overall, it is suggested that social desirability might be taken into account when examining substance abusers’ self-reports of social support variables.