There seems to be so much hype regarding twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
2007-08-19 18:59:36 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
According to researches made by the National Institute of Drug Abuse, participating in complementary 12-step programs increases the individual's chances of staying in a drug treatment program for a longer time.
There was also a study that found that the patients who attended more individual and group counseling sessions were found to have significantly lower levels of drug usage during and after treatment than those who had participated less frequently. This does not mean, though, that patients can already forgo going to drug or alcohol treatment programs in favor of just 12-step programs alone.
2007-08-19 19:00:43 · answer #1 · answered by ashley a 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
1. I drank myself into blackouts every night for 25 years starting at age 13. By the time I was 38, which was when I quit drinking, I was unable to work, was waking up in puddles of pee, etc. It was pretty obvious I had a problem. 2. I went to AA and worked the 12 step program for nine years. I think the meetings helped when I was new. They got me out of the house (which was where I drank, so this was a very good thing) and it was helpful to talk to people who understood what I was going through. Long term the meetings did not help nor did the program itself. People are very sick at those meetings, even the ones who are sober, but they are such an insular group that they have no idea how sick they are. But if you call anyone on it, they say "Hey, I'm sober, so I'm a success" which is BS. And when I wanted better than that, and left, several people told me I was (get this) sure to die drunk in the gutter without the program. I'm not dead yet. I have been sober ten years.
2016-05-17 21:32:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is a lot of hype because people demand a quick-fix for all of their problems. I have been sober in AA over 22 years (11-19-84) and I know it is effective. One of the key words in the name is 'Anonymous' and I am constantly chagrined at big name celebrities who break their anonymity and subsequently break their sobriety. When they do that, their actions tell the uninitiated observer that AA and NA don't work. The other item to keep in mind is there is a lot more to not drinking than just not drinking.
2007-08-19 19:09:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Read this:
"Effectiveness of the Twelve-Step Treatment":
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-effectiveness.html
Yes, the author has an axe to grind, but you can't argue with this compilation of statistics and studies. The study mentioned by someone else only showed that the longer a person was in AA the more likely they were to be sober. That has nothing to do with cause and effect. I have actively searched for studies that show that AA works for several years now. There are none.
Penn & Teller's take on 12step:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tPNgHrIkgo
AA has a 5% success rate, the same as quitting on your own. However, exposure to AA has been shown to result in five times as much binge drinking (Brandsma study) and a MORTALITY rate that is six times higher (Vaillant study).
Politicians like AA/NA because it enables them to have the appearence of being tough on crime. yet compassionate, without paying for offenders room and board in jail.
2007-08-20 04:15:30 · answer #4 · answered by raysny 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hype??? I don't think so. I don't know what you mean by "hype", but these programs are anonymous and have strict traditions about how they publicize themselves.
The programs are effective for someone who is motivated to recovery. If you don't want it, it certainly won't work for you. If you ARE motivated, why not give it a shot? It is free and guaranteed. You will be guaranteed to have your misery refunded if it doesn't work. So...what do you have to lose? Think about it...
2007-08-19 19:17:04 · answer #5 · answered by boycat99 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Until you are ready to stop any alcohol or drugs you have to admit it to yourself. If you can do this and have strong will power you won't need to humiliate yourself, just stop. If you think it is out of your control then seek help. You can seek help at your local health department or hospital they will help you find the help you need. You have to admit your problem to yourself first or nothing will help you.
2007-08-19 19:09:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if the hundreds of thousands of people worldwide that are clean and sober as a result of working the 12 steps are any testament to the success of those programs, i don't know what is.
2007-08-19 19:03:09 · answer #7 · answered by goodcook 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
YES ! but it only works if you work it : ) I am 18 and currently active in both programs and I would probablly be dead or worse ( still living in the misery of addiction ) if it were not for these programs : )
2007-08-19 19:10:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well Jesus didn't suggest 12 step programs. He suggested a one step program. Repent of your sin, accept that Jesus died for you and follow him.
2007-08-19 19:05:50 · answer #9 · answered by moondrop000 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
#1 on the program,,you have to admit that you are powerless over #%&*@ , if you do that first,,the program will work for you,if you don't,,you are wasting yours and other peoples time
2007-08-19 19:14:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋