Are AA and NA Really That Effective? Plus Alternatives to Consider

It’s also difficult to compare 12-step groups to mainstream treatments, such as cognitive behaviour therapy and motivational interviewing because it is now rare for contemporary treatment to be longer than two to three months at a time. Because alcohol and other drug problems are seen by AA/NA as an incurable disease, participation is a lifetime process. Call us at to learn more about about our different levels of addiction treatment — including our effective evidence-based Miami Metro alcohol addiction rehab program — insurance coverage for rehab and how to start the admissions process. Alcohol addiction is a https://ecosoberhouse.com/ deeply personal battle, and there’s no single solution for everyone. By understanding the question, how does Alcoholics Anonymous work, you can decide if this approach aligns with your needs and values.

At meetings you may find “Where and When” pamphlets that will give you a list of meetings with their locations and times.
Operates globally, offering free, anonymous support for those struggling with alcohol addiction.
A review of six National Institute of Health studies found a link between increased attendance at AA meetings and how long individuals were able to stay sober.

What Is the AA Success Rate?

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.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is not only for alcoholics; its foundational principles have inspired similar groups for other addictions.
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.
After they have been sober a while in A.A., some people tend to forget that they are alcoholics, with all that this diagnosis implies.
One key factor that influences AA’s success rate is participation.
We are not allied with any group, cause or religious denomination.

Most of the above studies considered concurrent AA attendance, and thus do not meet the 4th criterion for evidence of causality. An exception is Moos’ work that studied 16-year alcohol abstinence in a previously untreated problem drinking sample as a function of AA during years 2–3 and years 4–8 4 (Figure 2c). From what we do know, success at maintaining abstinence is fairly low, even according to the fellowship’s own data. One AA study found only 27% of participants were alcohol-free for up to a year (73% relapse rate) and only 13% maintained abstinence for more than five years. These figures are best case because they only include people who were still members of AA, not people who dropped out of the program.

National Recovery Study Findings in 30 Seconds

The core of AA’s approach — peer support, self-reflection, and behavior change — is adaptable to various conditions. One key factor that influences AA’s success rate is participation. If people don’t adhere to the structure and attend regular meetings, they won’t receive the full benefit of the program, so it’s important that people are committed to meeting attendance recommendations. Many people find that a 12-Step approach can be a valuable part of recovery, especially as ongoing support after completing addiction treatment. While AA is rooted in spiritual concepts, participants are welcome to define their own version of a higher power, whether that’s a traditional religious figure, nature, community, or something else entirely.

Site-of-care shifts: Healthcare’s $50B opportunity

how does aa work

The study sample(s) and citation(s) are summarized at the bottom of each figure. At follow-up sessions three, nine, and 15 months after completing the Project MATCH therapies, participants received several assessments. To meet that goal, the current study analyzed data from more than 1,700 study participants who had been enrolled at nine U.S. centers as part of a federally funded trial known as Project MATCH that compared three alcohol treatment approaches. Almost 1,000 were recruited into the study directly from the community, and another 775 had received prior inpatient treatment, indicating a greater degree of alcohol dependence.

Each individual group is therefore free to operate in the way that works what is alcoholism best for its local members. However, there are some universal policies and philosophies that each group operates by. According to the organization, there are over 115,300 groups around the globe.

AA’s Universal Accessibility: Recovery Without Barriers

Some who are referred may never attend, while others may drop out after trying it. A sponsor in AA is a member who has made significant progress in their own recovery and offers personal guidance and support to newer members, often referred to as sponsees. The role of a sponsor is crucial in the AA framework, as they mentor and assist sponsees in understanding and working through the 12 Steps of the AA program. For those struggling with alcohol use disorder, AA is often touted as the go-to option for support. With more than 123,000 groups across 180 countries worldwide, the AA model is free and open to the public.

Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work?

Neurodivergence and trauma were the reasons I used substances to regulate my nervous system. Yet, being told by sponsors ‘go to a meeting’ as the solution to autistic burnout, made me more burned out. What I needed was tools for self-regulation, low-stimulation environments, and people who validated rather than shamed me into working harder. “I found that 12 Step didn’t address or make space for grief, rage, shame, or trauma,” says Fox, an LA12 member for the last year. “The ‘pull yourself up by your bootstraps’ is so trickle down from puritanical thinking, and left no space for compassionate inquiry, or modern mental health technologies,” he explained.