Research

The story of APG research is not just about individual studies; it’s about how each piece of research, each story of recovery, and each recommendation for the future is a thread in a larger tapestry that depicts the collective fight against substance use disorders. It’s a story of compassion, support, and professionalism that resonates with the seriousness of recovery and the nurturing nature of the community. It’s a hopeful narrative, encouraging not just individuals in recovery but also society at large to embrace and support these life-affirming programs. As we all row in the same direction, our history is not merely a collection of data points but a chronicle of change, growth, and the indomitable spirit of community-led recovery.

Check out these research studies and informative papers.

Open Source

Akkala, S., Mehta, U., Pavaskar, R., & Wilkerson, J. M. (2023, October 27). Alternative peer groups (APGs) in adolescent substance use disorder recovery: An insight into services and the need for robust infrastructure. Presentation at the Texas Society of Public Health Education Conference, Austin, Texas.
Cates, J. C., & Carr, J. (1997). Creating and maintaining alternative peer groups. Presentation at the NAADAC 1997 Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
Collier, C., & Nash, A. (2018). The Alternative Peer Group: A Model for Youth Recovery – Research and Why It Matters. Presentation at the Association of Alternative Peer Groups – 2018 Conference.
Holleran Steiker, L. K., Counihan, C., White, W., & Harper, K. (2015). Transforming Austin: Augmenting the system of care for adolescents in recovery from substance use disorders. Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence, 3(203). https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-6488.1000203
Lifeway International. (n.d.). APG curriculum manual. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.lifewayrocks.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/APG-Curriculum-Manual.pdf
Nash, A. (2020). The twelve steps and adolescent recovery: A concise review. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 14, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178221820904397
Nash, A., Edens, A., & Cates, J. (2016). Keeping the alternative peer group “healthy”: Hard won lessons from APG leaders. Association of Alternative Peer Groups. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352462128_Keeping_the_APG_Healthy_Hard_Won_Lessons_from_APG_Leaders
Nelson, J., Henderson, S., & Lackey, S. (2014). Alternative peer groups: Adolescent recovery from substance use. Presentation at the TCA Conference 2014, Sam Houston State University.
Rochat, R., Rossiter, A., Nunley, E., Bahavar, S., Ferraro, K., MacPherson, C., & Basinger, S. (2011, January). Alternative peer groups: Are they effective? Paper presented at the Teens and High Risk Symposium, Houston, TX. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://www.naadac.org/assets/2416/john_cates_ac15_alternativepeer.pdf
Smith, N. Z., Vasquez, P. J., Emelogu, N. A., Hayes, A. E., Engebretson, J., & Nash, A. J. (2020). The good, the bad, and recovery: Adolescents describe the advantages and disadvantages of alternative peer groups. Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment, 14, 1–9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7092379/
The Pathway Program. (2023). Substance abuse program success rate. Retrieved November 12, 2023, from https://thepathwayprogram.com/substance-abuse-program-success-rate

Non Open Source

Collier, C., Hilliker, R., & Onwuegbuzie, A. (2014). Alternative Peer Group: A Model for Youth Recovery. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 9(1), 40-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/1556035X.2013.836899
Hennessy, E. A., Jurinsky, J., Simpson, H., & Nash, A. (2022). Parenting to provide social recovery capital: A qualitative study. Addictive Research & Theory, 30(5), 368-374. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2022.2055000
Nash, A., & Collier, C. (2016). The alternative peer group: A developmentally appropriate recovery support model for adolescents. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 27(2), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.1097/JAN.0000000000000122
Nash, A., Collier, C., & Kelly, J. F. (2020). Young people’s perceptions of the 12-steps’ role in supporting their recovery (or not). Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse, 28(5), 388–402. https://doi.org/10.1080/1067828X.2020.1766619
Nash, A., Engebretson, J., Collier, C., & Cron, S. (2019). Testing the feasibility of measuring recovery in adolescent participants of an alternative peer group: Lessons learned and next steps. Journal of Adolescent Research, 34(6), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558418822332
Nash, A., Hennessy, E. A., & Collier, C. (2019). Exploring recovery capital among adolescents in an alternative peer group. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 199, 136-143. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.02.025
Nash, A., Marcus, M., Engebretson, J., & Bukstein, O. (2015). Recovery from adolescent substance use disorder: Young people in recovery describe the process and keys to success in an alternative peer group. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 10(4), 290–312. https://doi.org/10.1080/1556035X.2015.1089805
Nelson, J. A., Henderson, S., & Lackey, S. (2015). Adolescent recovery from substance use in alternative peer groups. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, 6(2), 100-112. https://doi.org/10.1177/2150137815596044

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