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Effectiveness of Mutual Health Groups for Illicit Drug Use Disorders: A Review of the Current Literature

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Evaluate literature examining whether mutual help groups (MHGs) for illicit drug use disorders benefit participants.

Recent Findings

Recent studies consistently show that MHG attendance and involvement predict reductions in drug use and addiction severity. More rigorous methodologies offer stronger evidence of effectiveness, but additional controlled trials are needed. Drug-focused MHG challenges include lower success rates of professionally-delivered interventions to facilitate participation compared to alcohol-focused MHGs, and stigma towards opioid agonist medications. Culturally-tailored MHG formats may benefit specific populations (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities). Non-12 step MHGs like SMART Recovery show promise, but research is limited. Online delivery formats positively affect retention.

Summary

Evidence on the benefits of MHGs for drug use disorders is encouraging but incomplete. MHG engagement may be enhanced by cultural adaptations and reduced stigma towards medications. Future research should focus on non-12 step MHGs, treatment integration, optimizing online formats, and understudied groups (e.g. Indigenous populations). Selection bias remains a challenge in evaluations of MHG effectiveness.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

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Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute On Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number T32DA035165. Keith Humphreys was supported by a Career Research Scientist Award from the Veterans Health Administration. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or Veterans Health Administration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Wayne Kepner & Keith Humphreys

  2. Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Keith Humphreys

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  1. Wayne Kepner
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W.K. and K.H. wrote the main manuscript text.

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Correspondence to Wayne Kepner.

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Kepner, W., Humphreys, K. Effectiveness of Mutual Health Groups for Illicit Drug Use Disorders: A Review of the Current Literature. Curr Addict Rep 12, 12 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-025-00635-w

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