The role of social connection in remission from alcohol use disorders (AUDs) has been documented in a wide variety of samples. In treatment samples, alcohol-specific supports such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other social networks that support recovery are associated with reduced alcohol consumption and lower rates of relapse (Ellis et al., 2004; Longabaugh et al., 2010; Project MATCH Research Group, 1998; Stout et al., 2012). In population-based samples, social connections not specific to alcohol use, such as marriage and religious participation, are associated with better drinking outcomes in both treated and untreated individuals (Avalos and Mulia, 2012; Dawson et al., 2012; Dawson et al., 2005; Kelly et al., 2011a). The consistency of these findings across samples with varying levels of AUD severity and treatment experience (Fein and Landman, 2005) suggests that social connection is a key component of recovery regardless of severity of alcohol problems.
