12-Step Institute
The mission of the 12-Step Institute is to research and develop for distribution, common sense solutions to empower individuals to lead a rich and rewarding life, free from addictions and compulsions, no matter what the source.
Our vision is to help eliminate the stigma and enhance the efficacy of 12-step principles by developing community partnerships that will produce well-rounded approaches toward living healthy and fulfilling lives.
Currently the Institute holds the business license to lease Art House Pasadena and is collaborating with the AT Center on a Volunteer Training Program thru a grant from LA City Councilmember O’Farrell’s office.
And we are always looking to partner with others for additional community building efforts, here in Pasadena and surrounding communities.
Fellows
There are a number of ways to become a fellow of the 12-step Institute.
The first step is to become an Art House Pasadena (AHP) patron. Because AHP is the Institute’s most significant contribution to the field of substance abuse and addiction resources thus far. We are spearheading a new generation of low-income housing for people in recovery that finally brings 21st-century technologies and funding to the sober living home model.
Past contributions from fellows of the Institute include helping to sponsor a study on Spirituality and the 12-steps, as well as, developing the Volunteer Training program at the AT Center (one of our Pride=Health Alliance partners).
Spirituality and the 12-Steps Study
A Luminous Doom: Death Anxiety Along the Spectrum of Substance Abuse and Recovery –
by Nicholas Grant Boeving, Ph.D.
This cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was the first to systematically investigate the distribution of death anxiety along the spectrum of substance use. The primary research question was whether participation in Alcoholics Anonymous by individuals with substance abuse is associated with lower levels of Death Anxiety and higher levels of Purpose in Life. Fifty-two people were recruited to take a series of web-based surveys requiring approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. Five people reported never having used substances (their data was excluded from the hypothesis testing and analysis.) Ten participants reported less than 12 months sober, and n = 28 participants reported having completed greater than 12 months of sobriety. ANOVA showed that the relationship between the sobriety group and Death Anxiety was not significant, F(1,38) = .003, p = .96, while a linear regression revealed the same nonsignificant pattern (B = 0.00, SE = 0.003, p = .984). ANOVA showed that there was a relationship between sobriety group and Purpose in Life, with total scale scores at F(1,38) = 19.30, p < .001. Linear regression indicated that duration of sobriety explained 13.6% of the variance (R 2 = .136, F(1,37) = 5.67, p < .05). Death Anxiety and Purpose in Life scale scores were negatively associated, but this relationship was not a significant correlation, r = -.22, p = .17. A correlation assessed between Death Anxiety and duration of active sobriety was not significant: r = .012, p = .95. A correlation between Purpose in Life and duration of active sobriety was not significant: r = .15, p = .45. The following 6 themes and 3 subthemes emerged from qualitative data collected from participants: (a) Forgiveness, (b) Death Anxiety, (c) Meaningful Vocation, (d) Miracle, (e) Spiritual but not Religious, and (f) Gradual Awakening, with three subthemes of (a) Anomalous Experience, (b) Education and (c) Pivotal Moment. Exploratory analyses revealed an association between reported Purpose in Life and mystical experience with engagement in the 12-step program.
Many thanks to the AT Center for providing a space in which to both recruit study participants and to conduct interviews and data analysis.
For more information about our first study co-sponsored by the 12-step Institute please contact Dr. Boeving at:
nboeving@hotmail.com
Pride = Health Alliance
In the Summer of 2013, Pride = Health was developed by the Institute as an alliance of local LGBT non-profits, community partners and Straight allies committed to a comprehensive approach toward developing nurturing and affirming institutions for those we serve.
Our mission is to reshape the face of “PRIDE” in our communities so that it returns to being synonymous with celebrating exemplary health and well-being. Our vision is to ultimately, help eliminate all forms of culture based stigma and homophobia, once and for all.