Aspects of AA or NA that have been suggested as helping to promote behaviour change include spirituality, self-efficacy, coping and social support (Groh et al. 2008). The 12-step experience creates a sense of communality,
and this solidarity is an important aspect of the program’s spiritual nature (Galanter 2006). Several longitudinal studies indicate that AA involvement helps promote increased social resources and higher quality relationships involving friends. Studies indicate that greater AA involvement is related to positive functional types of support such as higher friendship quality and more friend resources (Groh et al. 2008).