Informative article about AA from Wired Magazine. CLICK HERE for the link.

It's a lengthy read but well worth it. 

Pasted a few paragraphs near the beginning of the article and bolded the portions that jumped out at me. It rather reenforces many discussions on this forum surrounding the topic of the 12 step program. 

/begin quote

 Wilson’s success is even more impressive when you consider that AA  and its steps have become ubiquitous despite the fact that no one is  quite sure how—or, for that matter, how well—they work. The organization  is notoriously difficult to study, thanks to its insistence on  anonymity and its fluid membership. And AA’s method, which requires  “surrender” to a vaguely defined “higher power,” involves the kind of  spiritual revelations that neuroscientists have only begun to explore.

What we do know, however, is that despite all we’ve learned over the  past few decades about psychology, neurology, and human behavior,  contemporary medicine has yet to devise anything that works markedly  better. “In my 20 years of treating addicts, I’ve never seen anything  else that comes close to the 12 steps,” says Drew Pinsky, the  addiction-medicine specialist who hosts VH1’s Celebrity Rehab. “In my world, if someone says they don’t want to do the 12 steps, I know they aren’t going to get better.”

Wilson may have operated on intuition, but somehow he managed to tap  into mechanisms that counter the complex psychological and neurological  processes through which addiction wreaks havoc. And while AA’s ability  to accomplish this remarkable feat is not yet understood, modern  research into behavior dynamics and neuroscience is beginning to provide  some tantalizing clues.

One thing is certain, though: AA doesn’t work for everybody. In fact,  it doesn’t work for the vast majority of people who try it. And  understanding more about who it does help, and why, is likely our best  shot at finally developing a system that improves on Wilson’s amateur  scheme for living without the bottle.

There's a much larger world beyond this little forum.  3 people very close to me suffered from substance addiction. 2 of them tried AA and NA. It didn't work for them, but they did manage to quit on their own and have been clean for 8 and 2 years respectively. 

Regretfully, one close family member still drinks too much. I don't think any program will help her because in her heart, she doesn't really want to give up the superficial comfort of her drug of choice. 

I've never questioned AA has worked for you, ssp,  and others. The linked article supports the fact that AA does work for some... It supports my experience that it doesn't work for everyone. It supports the concept that there is no one single solution that applies for everyone.

Warm Greetings, All,

I have, besides my own experience with years of recovery in AA and watching many others in the program, considerable experience with substance abuse treatment, in which I have been involved for 33 years.  I run into people for whom AA "did not work" quite frequently.  The number one reason for this is that many people go to one or two meetings, or perhaps the 6 or 12 required by their DUI program, and then never set foot in another meeting.  It is true that AA almost never works for such people.  Then there are people who go to plenty of meetings, but sit passively, never get a home group, never get a sponsor, never work the steps, and read little to none of the AA literature.  I was in this category myself for nearly two years, and AA didn't work for me, then, either.  There is also a sizable contingent of people who never do go to any meetings, because they are "embarrassed" to go, because they feel it is some sort of "cult," or because they know that God is mentioned there.  Although they never actually went to any meetings, they will readily share their opinion that AA is useless.  So my considered opinion is that the vast majority for whom AA "does not work" are people who never actually used the program. 

That being said, I have known some people who have made an honest attempt to work a program and AA did not work for them.  However, when I encounter people who are in a successful, long-term recovery who are actively enjoying sober life--not just hiding away to avoid temptation--most of them got there through a 12-step program. 

So no, we do not have good statistics on AA, and probably never will, because of the nature of the program.  It is also true that not everyone will benefit from AA.  But I know of no other approach with a success rate, in terms of producing sobriety with good quality of life, that has worked as well with as many people as AA, from my many observations.  And it is my firm opinion that without the program, I would never have become sober, long-term.  Even if I take drunk tomorrow, the program has given me 21 years of life without booze or drugs and in which I have not only been happy, but have grown spiritually to an extent I never imagined being able to. 

So if anyone has anything better, I'd sure like to see it.  And sorry, Chris Prentiss's claim of a ridiculously high success rate is bogus.  (Funny how you can get the cure for only $18.95 if you buy his book, but you'll need to cough up $70K a month to get it from him in person at his rehab in Malibu...)

RevJohn

Aug 1, 2010 -- 7:45PM, andrewcyrus wrote:

Andy>

I am not a "no one" according to your label.

Neither is sixth step phobia, see fan, revjon, or the countless other AA's that have popped in from time to time.

Yes there is a much larger world beyond your two. A program for alcoholics annonymous that has transformed hundreds of thousands if not millions of lives. AA exists in practically every community all over the globe.

It's very odd when someone extracts something out of another's post that simply isn't there in the first place. I never said you or anyone else was "no one".  As far as my worlds, again... you extrapolate something I never said. Never a good idea to presume  you "know" someone's intention, especially given a certain tendency to attribute negative intentions towards other posters.

Aug 1, 2010 -- 7:45PM, andrewcyrus wrote:

 

agnosticspirit wrote;

 "people very close to me suffered from substance addiction. 2 of them tried AA and NA. It didn't work for them"

Andy>

The AA program doesn't work unless the people work its steps. Seems you have based your entire premise of AA not working on your experience with two people who  thought the program was some kinda fairy dust that was suppose to work itself.

LOL! Once again trying to put YOUR spin on my words, I see. Do yourself and everyone else a favor and try to respond based upon what has actually been said rather than what you THINK someone has said, hmm? I certainly wouldn't presume to tell you how you've come up with your conclusions and will thank you for the same courtesy in the future.  I will feel free to share my own conclusions just as you have that same freedom (within the bounds of the ROC)

Back on topic.... do you base your opinions only on what you see on discussion forums, or do you formulate a conclusion based upon real life experiences, lessons learned from loved ones around you, researching third party sources, in addition to internet forums? Just as I obtain news from many sources because corporate fed media lends its own bias, so I research topics of interest from a variety of sources. It's a worthy endeavor if one truly wishes to get past the inevitable bias originating from a single source. Anecdotal evidence can lend itself to bias as well. We all draw from personal experience... said personal anecdotes can set benchmarks for ourselves, but it doesn't follow that these personal benchmarks will apply to others.

After all this time... I see a lack of acceptance from some members for others who arrive at different conclusions... Sorry you feel that way but it's a FACT that AA doesn't work for everyone --- that it doesn't by no means invalidates the experience for those that have been helped by this. 

There was no mention in the linked article about the utter dogmatism AA inspires... a slight omission, given the wealth of other background within.

Aug 1, 2010 -- 7:45PM, andrewcyrus wrote:

 

It works if people honestly work the steps.

For some it will. For others who honestly tried to work the steps, it didn't. This is supported by the article as well but whatever.... those with ears to hear and all that. 

AS WROTE

"For some it will. For others who honestly tried to work the steps, it didn't. This is supported by the article as well but whatever.... those with ears to hear and all that. "

Andy>

Than in all honestly provide the quote. The think about honesty is the ability to identify the problem and then honestly apply the solution..

Never tuff here - AA solution - don't pick up that first drink and you won't get drunk.

It works 100% of the time if one works it honestly.