AA works splendidly for many but for many more it does not. I reckon if it works for some students then they will likely attend for life as an adaptive tool from the substance. For others they need to have a safe environment to stop using. I brought a friend who had a life long substance abuse condition that would have killed him to sobriety through creating a safe environment, it was a harrowing journey but it worked.

Thank you Margaret.

The students I am referring are in a safe collegiate recovery program that includes a residence hall that is substance free. They are all in recovery and are required to attend meetings and have a sponsor. I am searching for evidence-based research that supports the requirements or presents alternative evidence.

I would suggest looking at the following- What we really see is that social factors for young people are the greatest motivators for use, as well as for recovery. Often they have less relation to the spiritual aspects of recovery as well, if they are not well supported by peers exploring the same. With young people, social factors play a serious mitigating factor to both the seeking of help, and the continuation of 12-Step involvement. 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4063778/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3394872/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3566342/

All three are work by Dr. Kelly if you have not read them already. What I have experienced in the field is that emerging adults, especially while they are in higher education, go through some basic changes over time. 

College is a time of immense personal change, recovery also is a time of immense personal change. Many students expand their horizons beyond the "black and white" thinking of adolescence, through higher education. Yet they experience a phenomenal amount of stress when they turn their emerging critical thinking skills to the "black and white" framework of 12-Steps. However, this is a relatively normative process, and while each case may be different, this is an area that needs definite support for emerging college students. It can cause great distress, as they feel they begin to doubt their own recovery experience.

There are two main considerations- one is developmental processes, and the other is individuation. Both are normal contexts for this group of people. However, there is little support in this area that helps them to re-center their recovery experience along developmental lines. It becomes even harder in the realm of individuation- which as you know occurs in early adulthood (23-28 ish). This is when they challenge all of their pre-existing beliefs, and reject, or keep ideas based on their identity.

I suspect, the challenge here can be met by formulating ways to facilitate identity formation, which is not solely defined by their recovery identity. Almost all people who live in long-term stable recovery give both primacy and identity to their recovering selves, however, they also find the means of aligning this self, and the principles of recovery, to an ever-changing context that is adult life.

For example- A person in long term recovery may not disclose their recovery to prospective employers, whereas a new comer might- feeling it would be "dishonest" and therefore contrary to the principle of honesty in recovery. Developmentally, people have to figure this out. And come to terms with the meaning and evolving application of recovery in their lives. The 12-Steps is not necessarily adaptable at face value. Sponsorship, mentor-ship, and other guidance can help with this struggle. I would say that all people in recovery, especially young people, will come to this crossroad. If this causes them stress, then it may be negative for them. However, mature recovery waits just on the other side, should they be able to build that bridge. Social factors, social capital, and recovery capital are essential, along with guidance to help deal with the seemingly conflicted experiences of critical thought and relatively dogmatic prescriptions of 12-Step ideology.

Age or academics have no bearing on the usefulness of AA.  Maintaining one's sobriety has to do with the daily effort one puts towards their recovery.  Recovery tool use and fellowship and support is lifelong! 

Hi Patrice,

I wonder if the following resources with references are of interest to you:

"When academics and members of Alcoholics Anonymous meet, they tend to confirm how much they differ..."

https://www.hazelden.org/web/public/vcsum0research.page

http://www.uwyo.edu/socialwork/_files/docs/bliss%20articles/empirical%20research%20on%20spirituality%20and%20alcoholism.pdf

Dear Patrice, 

Craving is not related to education. Some papers that may interest you: 

Article Assessing sobriety and successful membership of Alcoholics Anonymous

Article (Re)Working the Program: Gender and Openness in Alcoholics Anonymous

Article Naught but a story: Narrative of successful AA recovery

there is no such history of a cut off for A.A. effectiveness, for college students or others.

Working the program is a life long endeavor.