What is AA's overall success rate?

Question

Has there ever even been a study done? Why is AA still using the 12 step program if it hardly works, most people only go once and
the 12 step is over 70 years old. It was also made up by a drunken businessman. I'm sure that there has to be better recovery programs than the archaic cult that is AA.

Answer 1

There have been a few methodologically sound studies of A.A. done. They have all shown A.A. to be a terrible failure at helping people with drinking problems. The largest longitudinal study done was done by George Vaillant, Harvard Psychologist, A.A. board member and Al-Anon member. In his own words,
"Not only had we failed to alter the natural history of alcoholism, but our death rate of three percent a year was appalling.”
Of course, even his own research showing that A.A. kills people never caused him to hesitate recommending A.A. as a medical authority. Cult members are incapable of criticizing core doctrine and members "do their best work" in gaining new recruits from behind the mask of "Anonymity."
This testifying as a professional of one sort of another (e.g. doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist) to the public and keeping their group membership secret is referred to as "the spiritual principle of Anonymity" and the term the 12 Steppers use to describe these people is "two-hatters." Of course, such a practice is highly unethical. Perhaps Step group members don't see a problem because they believe they have "conscious contact with God" from working the Steps and hence "know" that God wants them to mislead and deceive.
The changing of the definitions of words to suit doctrinal purposes is also important.
For example, take the word "alcoholic." If someone drinks himself to death, of course "he was an alcoholic and the disease got him." If a destructive drinker moderates his drinking, "he wasn't a real alcoholic." Even if a destructive drinker abstains for the rest of his life without A.A., either "he wasn't a real alcoholic" or he is disparagingly referred to, "he is a dry drunk." It is only the tiny percentage of people who claim absolute abstinence and who credit A.A. who don't drink themselves to death that are "real alcoholics." Of course, using such definitions gives them close to a 100% success rate.
Because of Anonymity, the public doesn't get to see the huge numbers of A.A. failures. While the purpose of Anonymity is held up to members and the public alike as "to protect the alcoholic" A.A. members are really only to protect A.A. They can (and often are expected to) go on TV to tell of their disease and the need for "treatment." It is only their A.A. membership that they are to keep secret so that the public doesn't know when they commit suicide or drink themselves to death. The A.A. literature itself boasts of people who "carry the message of recovery" to the public at large yet later drink themselves to death. The literature also warns members about their experience as members of the Oxford Group with the public drunkenness of those who were one day very publicly "saved" from their drunkenness and the next day very publicly drunk.
Also, with the definition of the word "alcoholism" one only has to say "I am an alcoholic" to be considered an alcoholic. It really doesn't matter how much someone drinks or even at the extreme if someone has never had a drink in his life.
Alcoholism is also, as far as I know, the only "disease" voted as a disease by the A.M.A. I doubt this was ever done with lung cancer or the flu. The A.M.A. voted it as a disease under the assumption that people would get medical treatment. However, virtually all treatment is 12-Step religious indoctrination and it is highly unlikely that that is what the doctors who voted it a disease expected to be the treatment.
For further information, check out the library at the link below and the links to other articles, websites and discussion groups.

Answer 2

My brother and mother are both in AA for drugs and alcohol. My brother started in 1996, and has been clean for 11 years. My mom started in 1997, and has been clean for 10 years. I don't know what the overall success rate is, but it sure seemed to work for them, and their lives have become much, much better. Comparing to where they were a dozen years ago is like night and day...It all depends on the will of the individual. Some people just don't muster enough strength to stay long. But the ones that can stay clean for like a year tend to remain successful.

Answer 3

well my father has been clean for 20+years and when he was drinking we got along fine now he thinks he is better than me but in reality you go to AA to get back with your family now when we talk he just puts me down so we don't talk I myself quit drugs without NA 9 years 1 year without a beer its mind over matter and removing yourself from temptation with my dad it wont count because no AA its a cult its perfect all you have to do is think of yourself do I want to sit and hear I lost my???

Answer 4

There are more suitable aspects that go with if someone is valuable or no longer than in simple terms the container of work that they are in and what practise aspect they reached. aspects like motivation, stamina, area, pastime market saturation, and sometimes, who they understand, all play a ingredient in success or failure.

Answer 5

what is the 12 step program?