Psychologically speaking, how does Alcoholics Anonymous work?

Answer 1

Statistically, it doesn't. People who attempt quitting on their own have a 5% success rate. AA has a 5% success rate. However, several studies show that people in AA who do not achieve sobriety fair worse. (Vaillant and Brandsma studies: http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html )

I believe that it is the same 5% that are motivated enough to make a change. Those that achieve sobriety in AA are taught to credit the program Others swear by the VA alcohol program, religious programs, secular programs, wherever they happen to be at the time. Much like the reason that something is always in the last place you look, when you find it, you quit looking.

Answer 2

AA. is basically a support group ,
where the members ,help each other and their families ,
to cope .
all in confidence and at the request of the individual

Alcoholism is a addictive disease with no cure .

the only way to continue to live a reasonably
good and trouble- free life is to

refrain from drinking alcohol at all .

This is very very difficult for a true alcoholic

Hence the' support ' Buddies' ( also alcoholics )

who will,give help ,24 hours a day if called .

>^,,^<

Answer 3

the main way it works is by providing support for the people needing help. after getting detoxified, the main challange an alcoholic faces is fighting the tomptation. with the help of a support group, and a support person, the person can talk about his feelings, get to the root of the problem and get support in fighting the temptaion. the feeling that one is not alone is very condusive. also the anonymous nature also helps..

Answer 4

AA works because it recognizes alcoholism as a physical disease, which cannot be cured but only remediated, through working the steps (short form: "trust God"- which is a power greater than yourself that can 'relieve" you of alcoholism; "clean house"- make amends for all the crap you did when drinking and don't do it again; "help others"- grow up, quit feeling sorry for yourself and help other alcoholics by sharing your 'experience, strength and hope'.

Answer 5

I think it's the anonymous nature of the program so people feel free to share stories. Addiction is related to shame and trauma.

I think it's also the supportive nature of the program. No matter how bad your story is, someone else's will be worse. It makes you review choices and what triggers them.

Alcohol addiction is related to other addictions like obesity, gambling, internet, shopping or obsessive compulsive disorder.

Answer 6

First they get you to transfer your addictions to cigarettes and coffee, then make you execute twelve steps down a road of guilt, shame and penance. Hmm, now where have I heard of those things before. Oh yeah, the Catholic church. Well, okay, they don't get you to transfer your addictions at the church.

Answer 7

On the most basic level it is peer support

Answer 8

Let people behave more logically......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................