Is Alcoholics Anonymous an effective way to treat addiction?
In recent news and media publications, Alcoholics Anonymous has been receiving a large amount of attention, most of it negative. The arguments focus on the lack of scientific evidence proving the efficacy of the AA method, and new concerns about the program’s potential to do harm to some. Here are some examples of AA-related articles that are currently circulating the web:
“The pseudo-science of Alcoholics Anonymous: There’s a better way to treat addiction” on Salon.com, excerpted from Dr. Lance Dodes new book called “The Sober Truth: Debunking the Bad Science Behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry”
“Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work?” on ScientificAmerican.com, by Scott O. Lilienfeld and Hal Arkowitz, citing project MATCH.
“Male and Female Alcoholics Risk Relapse in Different Situations” on ScientificAmerican.com, by Melinda Moyer, citing a 2012 study published in Addiction by Dr. John Kelly and Bettina Hoeppner.
Some of our registrants may be familiar with the famous Conchrane systematic review by Marica Ferri, Laura Amato, and Marina Davoli, published in 2006, which stated that there were no experimental studies adequately demonstrating the effectiveness of AA or similar “twelve-step” style approaches for reducing alcoholism or alcohol-related problems in the population as a whole. Others may also be acquainted with the more recent findings of Drs. Maria Pagano, William White, and John Kelly, which suggest that certain patients may benefit from being involved in what they termed “other-oriented” behaviors, such as AA, as part of their recovery program.
In other words, it seems the jury is still out on whether or not there is sufficient evidence to prove AA’s effectiveness or its negative impacts. Are there any thoughts on this matter from our registrants? Any personal experiences (positive or negative) with Alcoholics Anonymous or scientific research findings on the subject that you would like to share?
If AA (or another 12-step program) didn’t work for you, what program did work for you? For those of you who found AA to be effective, what part of the program and life-style was the most helpful?
The AA program, the fellowship of sober people, attending meetings open and closed and so much more is what began the process of this journey we walk today. Not sure am aware of which part is most helpful….
Finding Hope was the most motivating factor* We struggled for years, then we heard HOPE saying this could perhaps happen for you….a new way of living is possible*** We came to meetings….and found after not engaging in any addictive substance we were able to be honest, ask for help, listen and begin to learn
this process of living instead of dying. Listening to others share embraced a sense of not being alone, experiencing the shift of perspective has brought much insight-we have heard the 12 steps assists you with not harming yourself and the 12 traditions assists you with not harming others* We are feeling much gratitude for all those who came before us, who we have met along this path we walk who have been willing to share their experiences which we have gained strength and found Hope to continue one blessed vision at a time.
I know that articles like this are intended to be a click magnet and draw people in … but if you’re going to go as far back as 2006 why wouldn’t you also include (as one of the studies) the updated MATCH study?
Hello Crescentdave!
Are you referring to this study: https://www.hazelden.org/web/public/document/bcrup_0600.pdf
According to this article, during a study conducted at Hazelden’s Butler Center for Research in June 2010, there was not a significant difference between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Twelve Step Facilitation, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy in terms of percent of day abstinent and drinks per drinking day. Twelve Step Facilitation, according to this paper, is not the same as Alcoholics Anonymous. It involves a series of one-on-one counseling sessions between therapist and patient however, it covers basic philosophies of AA.
It is possible that research summarized above failed to mention the findings from the 2010 MATCH paper because it isn’t specifically referring to Alcoholics Anonymous. There may be other other reasons, however I am not very familiar with the papers addressed above.
Thanks for your comment, crescentdave. I believe that the study you are referring to is cited in the article above (“the more recent findings of Drs. Maria Pagano, William White, and John Kelly”, the project MATCH researchers), as support for the efficacy of “other-oriented behaviors”, including AA.
As the author of this article, I freely admit that I was just hoping to frame the arguments for discussion – if you know of other studies, please feel free to add them on and discuss here!
I have come to find in my small town and as a recovering addict that AA worked for ME. I chose NOT to go to local NA meetings simply because while in inhouse treatment they had their own reasons for not attending NA although all of us in the house were addicts. I also found my sponsor through AA and found she was also a recovering alcoholic and addict also.
Thank you for sharing your personal story and views dmlzbl!
Yes. It has simple, clear-cut directions for those of us too smart for our own good.
It works if you work it!
I agree, PamelaVictor, if a program works for you, “work it!”
For me i find that AA works with my alcoholism as well as my drug addiction.Limited NA meetings in my area, my experience has been that there were many people at the NA meetings that were “on the fence” and alot of glorified war stories. By no means am i saying this is the norm, however I am just sharing my own experience…
For me AA has worked because of both the fellowship and the 12-step program. I also attend therapy regularly, so I am getting plenty of support in sobriety. When I first got sober I also attended outpatient rehab for nine months. That was easy for my schedule since I had a lot of free time after being fired for my poor performance while struggling with my alcoholism. Getting solid with my AA meeting schedule, finding a sponsor quickly, taking suggestions, and working the steps in addition to all the professional treatment really helped me in my first year. I am also lucky to live in NYC where there are tons of meetings and a very large and vibrant sober fellowship.
I have seen also friends and others that are no longer “in the rooms” and AA didn’t work for them. In most cases, they didn’t seem to do the work or want to do the work. I am hopeful that at least some of them have found a way to stay sober and healthy that works for them.
AA has worked for a lot of people, including me. I just suggest that people try it. Lots of people say that vitamin c helps them avoid colds although scientific research can’t substantiate that claim either. It doesn’t stop people from trying it. And if it works, great.
AA has a program that has assisted thousands with the process of recovery from many addictions* Like many others after struggling for many years, we came to the turning point and asked for help. We have been in this journey 28 yrs
of learning recovery process, gratitude fills our Spirit as we share. Coming to the meetings, listening to sharing of those who came before us and comprehending exactly what they did to recover is amazing* For those who are willing to come to meetings, be open to what is shared, honestly seeking….the shift of recovery follows with much active challenging awareness. We have found AA is about Living a new way of thinking- not thinking a new way of living*