How do Young Adults View 12-Step Programs? A Qualitative Study

Given the limited research on young adults' reactions to 12-step programs, the purpose of this study was to explore young adults' views of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Qualitative interviews with 26 young adults who had attended Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous were conducted. Most participants viewed 12-step programs favorably, reporting that the programs provided hope and emotional support. Participants who rejected the programs often refused to accept the concepts of powerlessness and a higher power. Many participants who rejected Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous were unaware of some of the key tenets of the programs, suggesting that 12-step facilitation would benefit this population.