Dr. Joe Nowinski: A Personal Remembrance

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Joe Nowinski, Ph.D., on March 24, 2026. Dr. Joe was one of the truly good men in our field: modest, generous, and wise. He carried his accomplishments lightly, but the impact of his work has been profound.

We came to know Joe primarily through his work on Twelve Step Facilitation (TSF), developed as part of Project MATCH. Joe, along with his collaborators Karen R. Carroll and Lisa A. Kadden, took on a remarkable challenge: to create a clinical manual for Twelve Step Facilitation that could stand alongside the leading therapies of the day. It was an ambitious assignment, and it had never been done before in a rigorous, research-driven way.

At the time, TSF was not expected to perform as well as the more established clinical approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy. Project MATCH itself—the largest addiction treatment study ever undertaken at that time—was guided by academic researchers, and expectations reflected the prevailing academic preferences.

But Joe and his colleagues quietly did their work, and the results spoke for themselves. All three approaches were effective. Yet over longer follow-up periods—twelve months and beyond—Twelve Step Facilitation showed stronger outcomes. In other words, a treatment approach that familiarized patients with the Twelve Steps was more likely to produce long-term stable recovery.

For those of us who have worked closely with individuals and families, this finding only confirmed our experience. Families are not confused about the goal of recovery. They want their loved one back. They want stability and a return to a meaningful life together. Joe’s work helped validate what so many already knew: AA delivered better than clinical methods alone.

Despite this, resistance to the Twelve Steps has persisted among many academics. New theories emerge, new models are introduced, and the goals of the field continue to change. But Joe remained focused on what actually helps people recover, and on presenting that truth with clarity and integrity.

Dr. Joseph Lee, MD, the CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, wrote a wonderful remembrance of Dr. Joe, with some marvelous anecdotes that captured both his character and his influence (link below). He reflected on Joe’s quiet leadership and the courage it took to advance Twelve Step Facilitation at a time when academic opinion leaned in other directions. We loved his article, and it underscored something essential about Joe: his humanity and clear-eyed persistence.

What we remember most about Joe, however, is not just his work, but the man himself. He had the ability to make complex ideas feel accessible and human. He spoke without pretension. He listened carefully. And he brought a quiet warmth to every interaction.

We had the privilege of interviewing Joe on The Best Minds Podcast, and it remains a conversation we treasure. His clarity, his humility, and his deep understanding of recovery all came through beautifully.

Joe was modest about his accomplishments, including his book, If You Work It, It Works! — The Science Behind Twelve Step Recovery. But his work has stood the test of time. It has helped bridge the gap between scientific research and lived recovery, and it has brought greater understanding and credibility to the role of the Twelve Steps in long-term healing.

The ripple effects of Joe’s work have touched countless lives—patients, families, clinicians, and communities. His legacy is not only in the research he helped produce, but in the lives that have been restored as a result.

We will remember Joe with gratitude, respect, and genuine affection. He made a difference, and we are better for having known him.

LINKS

Dr. Joseph Lee remembrance article: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hazelden-foundation_remembering-a-psychologist-who-helped-legitimize-activity-7444398217737285633-m5gV

If You Work It, It Works!—The Science Behind Twelve Step Recovery: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1616496294

Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy Manual: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Twelve+Step+Facilitation+Therapy+Manual+Nowinski

The Best Minds Podcast episode with Dr. Joe Nowinski on Twelve Step Facilitation: https://lovefirst.net/twelve-step-facilitation/