Alcoholics Anonymous: The 12 Steps of AA & Success Rates

Recovery is possible, and Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) has helped millions find lasting sobriety. Is a global fellowship where people share their experiences and support each other in overcoming alcoholism. Will work only for those who admit that they are alcoholics, who honestly want to stop drinking — and who are able to keep those facts uppermost in their minds at all times. Usually will not work for people who have reservations about whether or not they are alcoholics, or https://ecosoberhouse.com/ who cling to the hope of being able to drink normally again. Most medical authorities say no one who is an alcoholic can ever drink normally again.

What is Alcoholics Anonymous

For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For some people, it is very powerful to meet other people in person—people who are experiencing the same issues. Some people like the conversation, and physically being in a group meeting. Excessive drinking has numerous impacts on your body and mind, ranging from mild to severe.

The Benefit of Social Connections

However, it’s important to note that addiction is a chronic and relapsing disorder and part of the journey to recovery can involve relapse for many people. Members of AA don’t necessarily have to follow the 12 Steps or complete every one of them; the only requirement of membership is a desire to stop drinking. However, many members find success in recovery by following a version of this program. Ultimately, AA’s effectiveness is subjective and varies from person to person. Many find it a valuable resource in their journey to sobriety, while others may seek alternative approaches or a combination of methods to address their alcohol abuse and addiction. AA offers meetings in correctional facilities, helping inmates maintain sobriety while incarcerated and after release.

how does aa work

How Many People Die From Alcohol?

This is not a thorough review of the literature on AA effectiveness. For example, we did not keep track of the number of relevant studies located, nor of the relative numbers of studies with positive versus negative findings for AA or TSF effectiveness. However, what is alcoholism we did take care to present any study where the effect of AA was negative. The goal was not to provide an exhaustive review of the evidence, but rather to present representative studies that address AA effectiveness according to six accepted criterion for establishing scientific causation. This framework may be especially appropriate for considering AA effectiveness, because it acknowledges the value and limitations of experimental evidence in the context of other criterion for determining treatment effectiveness. Prior efforts to summarize the findings on AA effectiveness have included literature reviews 6, 7 and meta analyses 8–10.

Technically, it’s possible. Ethically, it’s complicated.

Another study by Lee Ann Kaskutas (2009) showed that about 50% of AA participants remained sober at 1, 3, and 8 years—double the rate how does aa work of formal therapy alone. While inpatient and outpatient rehab offer medical and psychological care, AA appears equally or more effective for many individuals when consistent engagement is maintained. Yes, Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) helps prevent relapse, especially with regular participation. A major 2020 Cochrane review led by Dr. John Kelly analyzed 27 studies involving over 10,000 participants and found that A.A. And Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF) programs were more effective than other treatments in promoting continuous abstinence and reducing relapse rates. Participants had higher rates of sustained sobriety and that its peer-support model contributed to long-term recovery.

Discussion meetings cover a specific topic, such as how to maintain a positive mindset. While members may be equal, that doesn’t mean that all meetings are the same. Specific dates may be reserved for special occasions or for selected demographic groups. A key concept of the Twelve Traditions is principles before personalities.

Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio. Both were recovering alcoholics who discovered that sharing their experiences helped them stay sober. This led to the creation of a peer-support group focused on mutual recovery. AA operates through fellowship and close bonds with your sponsors and peers. You support each other when temptation strikes and when times get rough. By relying on spiritual and peer guidance, you can overcome inner trauma and the desire to drink.

  • With professional guidance and a focus on comprehensive healing, The Arbor provides a well-rounded recovery experience.
  • The findings also revealed that 27 percent of participants had achieved sobriety for less than a year.
  • Reach out to our team to discuss sober living options and next steps toward a healthier routine.
  • This pamphlet describes who A.A.s are and what we have learned about alcoholism.
how does aa work

Wrote the Alcoholics Anonymous guidebook or The Big Book that outlined the 12 Step recovery plan that he and Dr. Bob had developed. Fortunately, there are many different types of meetings for people from different backgrounds or with similar situations. There are no dues or fees, so it doesn’t cost anything to try it out. We encourage Ria members to combine our approach with other methods—like AA—if that feels like the best path. As has been said many times, there is no “one size fits all” for cutting down on alcohol.


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