What is your opinion of AA?

Answer 1

I think its good in a way, but I seen what it did to my uncle who drank for 15 years and then started going to AA. He quit a really great job with an excellent union, and moved out of his great apartment. He is still drink free and he still claims hes a alcholic. AA can transform ones whole world, and make them feel like they are totally helpless and they are doing EVERYTHING wrong. Which is not true for all drinkers, which is one of AA's very downfalls.

Answer 2

I think it gets a lot of undeserved good press.

Studies, including AA's own internal Triennial Survey and one by Harvard researcher and AA Board of Trustees member, George Vaillant, give AA a 5% success rate. Quitting without any type of treatment at all also has a 5% success rate, but for those in their first year of AA there is also a MORTALITY rate of 3%, which is four times higher than no treatment. Some of this has to do with the guilt and shame that fuels the AA program.

The majority of people in AA were coerced into attendance by the courts, other government agencies, employee assistance programs, or families. The first two, and possibly the third, are in direct violation of the law, AA's traditions, and common sense. AA does nothing more than give the APPEARANCE that something is being done without causing the government a great outlay of cash.

Despite AA's claims of being "spiritual, not religious" every case that has come before a higher court in the US has concluded that AA is at least "religious in nature" and mandating attendance violates the Establishment Clause.

95% of the people who walk into AA will not stick around for one year, many of those people find the program not only unhelpful, but harmful...some very harmful. Even though it goes against the literature of AA, there is a large anti-medication, anti-therapy faction that is very vocal.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that half of all alcoholics have underlying mental health issues. When these issues are discounted or ignored, they go untreated, which increases the possibilities of relapse and suicide, and lessens the chances of an improvement in quality of life.

What works?: http://www.behaviortherapy.com/whatworks.htm

Answer 3

I'm not sure its for me. I've been to Al-Non, which is for the family members of Alcoholics. I have been to 2 meetings and will go to my third on Friday. I won't volunter but just being there does give a sense of peace. Listening to others share their stories and how they changed because of AA (or Al-Non) and got their life back on track - kind of inspiring for a while, KWIM. Makes me realize that no matter how my problems are different, maybe, just maybe one day, I'll be able to change my outlook on life and become a better person.

Answer 4

Personally I think it is a wonderful organization that has helped a great number of people that are truly trying to quit the habit of drinking. The key to truly receiving help though is the willingness of each individual to accept the fact they have a drinking problem and they want to change their drinking and behavior patterns. Otherwise, those individuals who are required by law to attend might not reap the benefits from this organization and after they are through with the program, they may not want to change their bad behaviors and continue to drink.

What about you what is your opinion of AA?

Answer 5

They're very good. I've been with them for years and most times I've not used them, but when I have needed them I was grateful they were there. Both times, they got my car going straight away and fixed the problem with no charge and on balance they have saved me a lot of money whilst giving me peace of mind when travelling
The RAC are pretty good as well.

Answer 6

If you mean alcoholics anonymous, they have the greatest success rate for qutting alcohol. Seems to be somethign to do with having a network of others who know exactly what ur going through and try to help you through it. BUT you have to go regularly, and you really have to want to quit, good luck

Answer 7

AA Is RR. It is also HH and I think it's a bit of EE. That's what I think.

Answer 8

It's a cult. Alcoholism is a sin, not a disease. Cathy Burns wrote a book exposing it.

Answer 9

Its great its helps lots of people with drug and alcohol stay clean and sober. They have lots of support from others their and are rewarded with the amount of time they stay clean.

Answer 10

It helps a lot of people, but it's not for everyone.