Who participates in the 'Celebrate Recovery' mutual-help organization? Results from a National US Investigation.

Introduction: Celebrate Recovery (CR) is a new, rapidly growing mutual-help organization (MHO) based on Christian principles and is the largest religious MHO in the US. However, very little is known about CR empirically.

Methods: Secondary data analysis of the National Recovery Study (NRS) (Kelly et al., 2017) compared CR attendees to lifetime MHO attendees with non-CR attendance on survey-weighted estimates of 1) demographic and substance use characteristics, 2) treatment and recovery support service histories, and 3) current recovery-related functioning.

Results: Compared to non-CR MHO participants (49 years), the mean age for CR participants (43 years) was younger (d = -0.32; p = 0.008). Relative to participants with alcohol as their primary substance, participants identifying methamphetamines as their primary substance had 5.12 times greater odds of being in CR versus non-CR MHO (p = 0.002). Participants reporting 15 +  years (vs. 0-5 years) since alcohol/drug problem resolution had 60 % lower odds of being in CR versus non-CR MHO (p = 0.029). Participants attending other faith-based recovery meetings had 11 times greater odds of being in CR than non-CR MHOs (p < 0.001). CR and non-CR MHO participants did not differ in current quality of life, happiness, self-esteem, psychological distress, and recovery capital.

Conclusion: Compared to non-CR MHO attendees, CR attendees may be slightly younger and earlier in their recovery, have primary stimulant drug problems, and are more likely to have tried other faith-based services. CR's widespread and growing availability suggests it may offer an alternative recovery support resource, particularly for Christians.