What is the Success Rate of Recovery in AA?

What is the success rate of recovery in AA? That depends entirely on who you ask, and on exactly what you are measuring.

For example, there is documentation that proves “early AA” had a success rate of about 75 percent.

On the other hand, there are some people who claim that AA actually has a negative rate of recovery, and that people actually relapse in AA who might have recovered “spontaneously” through spontaneous remission of the disease.

Finally, there are a large number of estimates out there that put the success rate of recovery at around 3 to 5 percent.

But it is indeed a tricky thing to measure. For one, what exactly are we measuring? Complete abstinence for life? Alcoholics who successfully make it to one year sober? What exactly determines “success” when we are talking about success rates? This is the first half of the measuring problem.

The other half of the problem is that it is very difficult to obtain truly accurate results across a large sample. There are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which is the anonymity that the program is based on. Add that to the shame and guilt associated with relapse, and you have the potential to seriously overestimate the success rate based on an anonymous survey.

What does AA themselves have to say? Here is a piece of an actual memo from the Alcoholics Anonymous GSO (General Services Office), based on an analysis of a survey period that ran for 12 years:

“After just one month in the Fellowship, 81% of the new members have already dropped out. After three months, 90% have left, and 95% have discontinued attendance inside one year.” (Kolenda, 2003, Golden Text Publishing Company).

Of course, this doesn’t really tell the whole story, as many people will leave after AA after being first introduced to it, and then later return once they have truly been beaten by their alcoholism. Most people who are a success story in AA tell of how they struggled–sometimes for years–going in and out of AA before they finally “got it.”

On both sides of this issue, people are very passionate

If you follow the 2 links at the beginning of this article, you’ll see that one is definitely pro-AA, and the other is vehemently anti-AA. One is claiming up to a 95% success rate, while the other is claiming AA is actually detrimental and has a negative success rate (lower than spontaneous remission). And you’ll also notice that both people are very passionate and firm believers in the stance they are taking. Why such a discrepancy here?

I believe the reason is that AA is effective for some, but it is clearly not for everyone. It is not a one-size-fits-all program. There are plenty of people who have achieved success and meaningful sobriety in AA. There are also those who have honestly gave it there best shot, only to eventually relapse and die. This is unfortunate, and it begs the question: “What are the alternatives?”

Unfortunately, there aren’t a whole lot. Yes, there are a few out there, but they are spread few and far between, and there are many disadvantages with all of them. While many of the alternatives to AA claim to have superior success rates, their method of measurement suffers from the same flaws as AA, and their is very little widespread support in these programs.

If you are on the fence about going to AA, here is what I suggest you do: Ignore the success rates you hear about and give it a chance. Do this knowing that AA is the single biggest support system of recovery in the world. The program may not be perfect, but it’s the best our planet has. The alternatives might talk a big game, but they don’t have meetings in every city in the world. AA does. You can find support just about anywhere. And it’s technically free to boot.

Here’s another suggestion: find someone in AA who has multiple years of sobriety and ask them what the success rate is for AA. They will likely tell you that they don’t care. It works for them.

Action items – What does all this mean for you?

1) Give AA a chance, because the meetings are everywhere and therefore the level of support is mind-boggling.

2) Don’t get stuck in thinking there is only one path to recovery – that is NOT TRUE. There are many paths.

3) Stay open. Regardless of what you choose, implement the spiritual principles into your life. Practice gratitude.

Comments (45)

45 comments to “What is the Success Rate of Recovery in AA?”

On June 26th, 2008 at 5:55 pm ,
kayakotto Says:

Excellant article with many good and valid points, Especially the thought that the paths are many. I went to AA for many years and supplemented this with a long term residential drug rehab program (www.stopaddiction.com). So the question would arise as to whether AA did or did not work for me. Perhaps by attending AA I did find enough workablity to get me butt to a rehab program when I realized I was in need of more intensive treatment. Just because I found lasting sobriety following my inpatient treatment is not reason to say AA had no effect.
On June 26th, 2008 at 6:39 pm ,
Patrick Says:

Hi there Kayakotto

Interesting that both of our paths involved long term treatment and AA, but didn’t necessarily end up with us being entirely dependent on AA as our ultimate solution.

I’m definitely grateful for my experience in AA, and that it has led me to this point in my life. But some people confuse AA with being the path itself, when in fact it merely points to the path.

I still encourage newcomers to give it a chance, because there is so much support there. Anyway, thanks for sharing your comment Kayakotto!
On July 7th, 2008 at 10:51 am ,
Joe Says:

The programs recovery rate is extremely higher than the fellowships recovery rate
Many are in-constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves so they seek
a label (sponsor) an outside menacing force outside the Big Book and get into personalities = another persons reality instead of being true to thy self.
A.A. does not ask this it begs you to be fearless from the very start many get fear imposed on them to get a sponsor and boy do they get it.
On July 7th, 2008 at 7:46 pm ,
Patrick Says:

Thanks for your comment Joe.

Your statement about the “programs recovery rate is much higher than that of the fellowship,” that makes sense, and I would agree that such a statement points to the need to actually do some footwork and work on ourselves and take a deeper look inside (such as through the 12 steps).

But I would also caution people to look at that statement and see how it elevates “the program” to perfection. This is a logical error, in my opinion. You get into the problem of always thinking that the program is perfect, and if someone fails, then it is because they did not work the program perfectly. This is a very limiting way of thinking that can stunt people from growing, because it can limit them from seeking growth outside of the boundaries of the program.

Thanks so much for your comment, Joe, and good luck to you on your journey….
On July 21st, 2008 at 2:43 pm ,
Dick B. Says:

Thank you for including our reference to the documented 75% success rate in early A.A. among seemingly hopeless medically incurable real alcoholics who went to any length to establish their relationship and fellowship with God. A.A. has changed, and in many many ways. Statistics should be viewed in light of our history See Dick B., Real Twelve Step Fellowship History dickb.com/titles.shtml. The success rates today seem to be in the eye of the beholder. As one who has attended thousands of meetings, I can justifiably ask, where are those in flight. Most leave soon. Many go to Christian fellowships. Some tough it out. Others come and go and return. A hard crowd to measure. Contrast early A.A. where the original 40 kept rosters, knew each other by name and address, and kept track of sobriety dates, relapses, and the like. God Bless, Dick B.
On July 21st, 2008 at 5:33 pm ,
Patrick Says:

Hi there Dick B.

I agree it is a very difficult thing to measure, and this is the source of much frustration in the treatment community.

I would encourage anyone reading to check out Dick B’s website, just click on his name in the comment above, it is very informative….lots of info there. Thanks for your comment, Dick!
On September 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm ,
Dick B. Says:

I much prefer the comments on this site to the long diatribes against those of us in the trenches who can see who comes and who goes. A.A. is undergoing change. The program of today, as seen in the fellowship, is not the program of the 1930′s, as reported by Frank Amos and published in DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers. The program of today does not insist on reliance on God; yet that was the first question posed by Dr. Bob to newcomers leaving the hospital. Those who criticize the accuracy of the early 40 members records give no evidence of having looked at the rosters, the collections in the Wilson House Griffith Library, the scrapbook on sale at GSO. I belong to the A.A. of today, and I’m really glad I do. I remember the A.A. of the 1930′s and have no difficulty asking God which way to go on any particular Step, Tradition, or Big Book suggestion. Neither did Bill and Bob. There weren’t any steps, traditions, or publishing efforts. God’s strength, guidance, and rescue were sufficient for them. God Bless, Dick
On September 19th, 2008 at 8:59 pm ,
Dick B. Says:

Alcoholism Cured – A.A.’s Early Position on God and Cure

Dick B.
© 2008 Anonymous. All rights reserved

Can alcoholism be cured by the power of God? And was it curable as early AAs viewed it?

Let’s see what the founders, their early team, and the A.A. pioneers had to say:

• Speaking of his first meeting with A.A.’s Bill W., Dr. Bob wrote:

This man was a man who had experienced many years of frightful drinking, who had had most all the drunkard’s experience known to man, but who had been cured by the very means I had been trying to employ, that is to say, the spiritual approach.

• A.A.’s biography of Bill W. reports of the work of Dr. Bob and Bill W. with Bill Dotson:

In late June [1935], Dr. Bob put in a call to Akron City Hospital. He explained to the nurse in the receiving ward that a man from New York had just found a cure for alcoholism.

• AA Number Three (Bill Dotson) remembered Bill W.’s own testimony to Dotson’s wife:

Henrietta [Dotson], the Lord has been so wonderful to me, curing me of this terrible disease that I just want to keep talking about it and telling people.

http://dickb.com/alcoholismcured.shtml
On September 20th, 2008 at 6:43 pm ,
Patrick Says:

Yes, there is quite a bit of controversy with early AA and the whole history of how things started. It is too easy to talk about the good old days and how everyone used to stay sober back when they did things differently. When people start talking like that I believe they are falling into a trap. Not for themselves, because those types of people usually have a strong recovery, but they are frustrated in trying to carry the right message and how to go about helping the newcomer. They yearn for a simpler time when things were easier. This might very well be “the-grass-is-greener” type of thinking….not realistic at all.

I always appreciate your input, though, Dick, and I also have some level of hope for AA and their mission. But I think the creative theory of recovery is going to find it’s way out into the world eventually and people will start approaching addiction from a more holistic perspective. Thanks again for your comment.
On November 21st, 2008 at 1:53 pm ,
Dick B. Says:

In November, 2008, we will soon be posting on our main website and on other sites an extensive discussion of the important question: Is Alcoholics Anonymous effective today, together with studies of statistics. Just note, there is a marked difference between present-day A.A. and its frequent lack of focus on the power of God in seeking recovery, and the early A.A. Christian fellowship and its documented 75% to 93% success rate among those who really tried.
On January 26th, 2009 at 7:47 pm ,
Gary T. Says:

I just finished talking to my alcoholic 51 year old sister. She was calling to tell me she is being kicked out of her 8th residence in as many months. She hasn’t paid the landlord since moving in about 6 weeks ago. I was being called so she could tell me that our parents have basically abandoned her because they won’t bail er out again. They have bought her 4 cars in the past year and she has wrecked all 4 of them while drunk, one which may even have been a suicide attempt when she drove head on into a semi. The truck driver saw her and made a sharp turn to avoid the immenent head on. She left the scen, hid the car in the woods, and called the police to report it had been stolen. By the way, she drives on a provisional license which says she is to drive to and from work ONLY. This last crash was at 3 AM, and she was obviously not on her way to work. She has had 8 DUI arrests and 8 convictions. She has spent time in jail at both the county level and prison. She has also been arrested 7 other times for alcohol related incidents. Yet she says to this very moment that she does not have an alcohol problem, but that the police just hate her. Common “stnking thinking”, a term used in AA meetings and recovery centers all over the world. It has been suggested to her by every relative that she checks into a long term rehab, ut she doesn’t think she needs that because she enjoys being buzzed. So what if she has no home, no job (fired a week ago for drinking on the job), no car, or no possessions? At least she enjoys getting a buzz and apparently that is all that matters to her.

So she asks me what I think she should do and I suggest 30 day rehab and AA every day from noe on. She quote a suceess rate of AA being only a mere 3% so she akready knows it is a waste of time. So I look this article up to find what the actual rate od sucess is and see that this article makes her answer appear to be correct. That’s complete and udder nonsense. I agree that there is a huge drop out rate of people in AA, but, and this is a huge thing, of the people attending most AA meetings there is a huge number that are there because they have been forced into it by court or as a contigency to some other punishment. These are the people who are going to leave as soon as they have attended the number of meetings ordered by the court, and unfortunately the judges who give these orders are obviously ignorant to what AA evens is. They only or 10 or maybe 15 meetings. Most alcoholics could do that standng on their heads if they knew they could go right back to drinking after a couple weeks. Therein lies the reasoning behind such poor statistics.

I went to AA in 1986 trying to save a failing marriage. My wife was the alcoholic and I had been told that going to an AA meeting or two would give me an understanding of how a 12 step program worked, This was on a Tuesday, and I had just missed the new members Alanon meeting which only meets on Mondays. So I had to wait another 5 days until the next Alanon meeting. Anyway, from that very first meeting of AA I was hooked. It was as much of a dug to me as was any other. I couldn’t get enough of AA, Alanon, NA, or whatever other 12 step program I could find. I was going to 2 meetings a day, regardless of which Anonympous it was, even if I wasn’t part of the particular problem the meeting was trying to help. AA was like going to church and fellowshipping with people from all walks of life, and I was digging it. I was a non smoker willing to sit through a meeting in a room so thick with smoke that I could barely see who was speaking just to be around other people who wouldn’t judge or dislike me or anybody else. It felt great.

So 22 years have come and gone since that addic tion started. I quit going to meetings after 3 1/2 years and instead went to a holy roller church. It was the fellowshipping that I had been craving, and not so much the content of any meeting. I haven’t been drunk or high since 1986, and that is without the benefit of an AA meeting. The seeds were planted way back there in 1986 and they have been thriving within me ever since. I know what being sober is all about and I know what AA is all about. There will be no success in such a thing unless the person attending wants to be there. Nobody who is forced to go will stay very long. Nobody who has to have his card signed by the leaer of a meeting gives a damn about what the topic was in a meeting. Unless a person has gotten so low that there is no way but up, they will refuse to believe they have a problem. My sister reached that point today. Unfortunately she was drinking as we spoke, and when she had enough alcohol in her system to make that little switch in her brain switch on, the walls went up, the ears quit hearing, and she decided tht even though she had called me crying to ask what I thought she should do, I was the asshole who thought I knew everything. She is one of the failure statistics. She has been court ordered to attend AA 14 times. and after she got her cards signed enough times, she went right back to getting drunk and high. She is one of the numbers people use to determine that AA is a failure.

If you really want help with your alcohol problem, then AA is an excellent opportunity for you. You will hear from people who have been exactly where you have and have been able to turn it all around. ut these will be people who aren’t one of those statistics tis article talks about. These will be people who decided they had had enough of the being broke, poor, and homeless and stayed in the program until it worked. If that’s who you want to be, then look at this website, find your state or country, and get a phone number to find out how to get started. http://www.anonpress.org/phone/
I promise that if you are really ready to give up on the life at the bottom, then you will at least find a place to get started to your way up. I pray to God that my sister reads an article like this so she can see that there are people out there who love you enough to help you out.
On January 26th, 2009 at 7:54 pm ,
Gary T. Says:

Wow! I wish had spell checked before I hit submit. It’s an udder (OMG) er, utter disgrace.
On January 26th, 2009 at 8:06 pm ,
Patrick Says:

Yeah I say the “udder” thing too, that was funny! Got a chuckle from me.

Yes I agree that the success rates are a bit skewed due to the court mandated attendance, but I still think the problem is a bit deeper than that. Many who willingly go to AA and want what they have there still relapse at a really high rate, but I do not necessarily have an alternate solution.

I believe that the peer support and networking offered by AA is critical to the newcomer and therefore I still recommend it. But I do see a great many people who have “got stuck” in the fellowship and the path they are on is very limited as far as growth goes. I am not against AA but I am cautioning people that there is huge growth to be had outside the boundaries of traditional AA.

The fellowship is valuable but at the same time it can become a dependency, as you pointed out Gary. But I thank you very much for your insightful comment and I am praying for your sister and others in her situation. I hope she can find a path to sobriety, either in AA or otherwise. God bless.
On January 29th, 2009 at 5:52 am ,
Irrevenant Says:

What I’m interested to know is how the AA success rates compare to NO support program at all. ie. Does AA leave you worse off than you started?

I can see that it might, with the whole admitting utter helplessness in the face of alcohol thing, but it’d be good to have some hard figures one way or the other.
On January 29th, 2009 at 8:29 pm ,
Patrick Says:

Hard figures you will not find, they do not exist. Any figures that you do find must be taken with a grain of salt, because it is so difficult to get reliable data from such an anonymous playing field. Even those who respond to follow up surveys from treatment centers will often lie a bit just out of shame and guilt if they happened to have relapsed.

There are some who argue that 12 step programs are detrimental as a whole, because they say that the spontaneous rate of remission among alcoholics is actually better than if you have them all go to AA. My personal philosophy on this is that I don’t quite buy it…I think AA does more good than harm, but not buy a huge margin. There are so many who fail and so many more who stay stuck in relatively shallow sobriety.

My stance is that we can improve on AA and go beyond it in some way. The creative theory is my attempt to explain how I have done that in my own life.
On April 1st, 2009 at 6:30 am ,
Bill Webb Says:

I have attended Back to Basics now for a little over a year. Back to Basics teaches trust God, clean house, help others. Those that have attended more than 3 months at this point we have 100% success rate, however our statistics on those who come one time aren’t much if any better than AA as a whole. I think the key is; if you just attend AA meetings the result is a low rate of success on the other hand becoming a member of AA AND trusting God, cleaning house, and helping others will 75% of the time keep you sober. I don’t think that’s changed over the years! It has worked for me now 29 years.
On April 4th, 2009 at 8:09 pm ,
Patrick Says:

@ Bill Webb – yes what you say makes perfect sense, those who put forth a tremendous effort are the ones who will get good results. I believe AA stated that at one point: “Of those who really tried, 50 percent stayed sober, and 25 percent drank but showed some improvement.”

To me there is something really fishy with these types of statements. Seems to me that we could reword it in a more accurate way: “Of those who stayed sober, they were the ones who really tried. All others put forth less than a 100 percent effort.”

We could even interview those who failed to stay sober and they would agree that they had not “really tried.”

The program itself is irrelevant. These same statements hold true regardless of which program we are discussing….be they 12 step based or otherwise. You see what I’m saying?

You are right in what you said Bill…of those who really tried, most stay sober. But this is not profound or useful, and it does not lead us to refine or improve a program that has a dismal success rate……
On April 17th, 2009 at 1:18 pm ,
Des Says:

I’m a occaisional drinker 1-3/week and social only.
My wife on the other hand drinks whenever she likes and usually once started does not stop until falling asleep. I have done all the usual in my struggle against uncontrolled drinking. Enduring lies, fights, seperations etc…But when she is sober- God love her there is no one who can touch her vivacity and caring. Recently, the stuggle against drinking bouts during workdays where I come home to find her pretty lit up, has become an obsession for me in that I feel she will collapse our marriage. We have a wonderful set of life circumstances and no reason to stuggle about anything …except uncontrolled drinking.
What would you recommend as a course of action to stabilize and then correct the issue?
Desmond in Washington
On April 19th, 2009 at 10:33 pm ,
mary Says:

Desmond My son was drinking and doing pot for 5 years. he is now clean and sober 8 months. he did inpt rehab 3 mos and then NA/AA for 2 mos. he decided he didn’t like it but he is seeing a couselor weekly. But what helped me find peace was going to AlAnon. I’ve been going since Sept. and it has helped me take the focus off him and restore balance in our family. I would urge you to try a few different meetings. Good Luck to you and your family Mary L.
On April 28th, 2009 at 4:18 pm ,
Patrick Says:

@ Desmond – I would second what Mary suggested. You need to take care of YOU first and that means finding a support system.
On July 25th, 2009 at 7:30 pm ,
jim harmon Says:

our daughter age 43 is going thru a divorce from an alcholic and borderline personality disorder man. She has been abused, cheated on, lied to, swindled, alomst lost her home, bankrupt, but still thinks he can be rehibilitated…and would take him back in a year if he can prove he is well.
Is she as crazy as he is , or what. Where can we get her the help she needs to put this into prespective. He has been in jail for the past month. An ohio case..
Frustrate3d in Florida…Parents
On August 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 pm ,
rose Says:

I LOVE AA!
On August 2nd, 2009 at 10:52 pm ,
rose Says:

Where would I be without AA, NA, Recovery International, therapists, God, one halfway house, and one 28 day program which your and my family’s tax dollars paid for and the support of my family? BAA (Before AA ..and a public mental health clinic) I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. After 2 yrs of going in and out of meetings (brief intervals of sober time), I finally was blessed, and God removed my compulsion to drink and do drugs. Been clean and sober over 24 yrs now… off cigarettes 17 yrs now w. help of nicorette and an antidepressant for 13 yrs.. if ur an addict, just keep trying; even if you relapse, get back into the meetings and keep trying and keep looking for Good Orderly Direction; Group of {recovering} Drunks – in other words a Higher Power who you can picture and feel is looking out for you, even when u cant. Write letters to God if u can’t pray. Sobriety will happen for you too if u just ask for help and follow the suggestions. PRAY for the GIFT of Desperation; desparate to get and stay sober!
On August 2nd, 2009 at 10:55 pm ,
rose Says:

One last thing; Naranon is a great help if your family member or friend is the addict… especially if they’re doing crack. That’s been my experience anyway. Alanon’s ok too but if it’s drugs theyre hooked on, try Naranon!
On August 3rd, 2009 at 6:39 am ,
Patrick Says:

Thanks for sharing your experience there Rose. I agree that desperation is important. Glad I got desperate enough to take drastic action in my life….
On December 28th, 2009 at 7:23 pm ,
jason metheral Says:

I think it is important to look at the early success rate of A.A. I believe that somewhere along the line the message has be drastically watered down. With people I have worked with 100% have recovered who have followed the program of alcoholics anonymous as directly outlined in the big book. The rate to could just be also in the introduction of drugs and just the nature of the illness.
On December 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pm ,
Patrick Says:

@ Jason – I partially agree…but at the same time, we can look at any success story in AA and say “see? They are applying the AA program in their life, just like they should be!” And at the same time we can look at the failures and say “They are not working the AA program.”

This is useless, as this logic also works with “stand-on-your-head-all-day” programs of recovery. Early AA rates typically discount the failures and eliminate them from the equation, from what I have seen. This is further backed up by the language used when AA said “Of those who really tried, about half stayed sober….” etc. etc. See how they qualify that there? You can’t do that in statistics (at least not in valid, published studies you can’t).
On January 4th, 2010 at 2:41 pm ,
Robert Stokes Says:

If you are thinking about going to AA because you think you may have a drinking or a drugging problem why dont you just go? See what its like for your self. If someone told you what sex was like would just say oh I have figured out I dont think I need to try it. If you think you may have a drinking problem dont let other people tell you about AA. Its just like anything else in this world things mean different things to different people. I like chicken my girlfriend is a vegetarian if you asked me about cooked chicken you’d get a way different answer than if you asked her. On a side note remember people possible newcomers could be reading this and if you dont have anything good to say maybe you should stay anonymous at the level of press radio film and INTERNET.
On January 4th, 2010 at 2:50 pm ,
Patrick Says:

Robert, I respect your opinion and I agree that anyone who is curious should give 12 step programs a try.

However, your closing statement there is way out of line. Why should people outside of AA have any interest in operating under AA traditions? That is an unreasonable request. I have heard similar arguments where people say “if you steer people away from AA you are killing newcomers, oh no!” This is utter crap. Look at the success (and death) rates in AA, and you will see that other treatment methods produce statistically similar success rates. That said, AA may indeed help people. It is just not the default cure that some people think it is.

The market leader is not always right.

I am not anti-12 step, but merely pro-recovery. Recovery does not necessarily equal AA. There are other paths…..
On January 28th, 2010 at 4:16 pm ,
Eileen H. Says:

I am fortunate to be sober for 4yrs. and 10 mths..a miracle for me..I realize it is a process (To change).So, One day at a time I try to do these. I know longer worry or care about A.A. statistics…al I know is..It has worked for me..and at one time I couldnt stop drinking for more than an hour at a time..God could and would if He were sought..God has done for me, what I couldnt do for myself.
On February 15th, 2010 at 10:52 pm ,
Dick B. Says:

The best model for success rates can be found in the little known details as to how the first three AAs–believers in God and Christians all–finally turned to God for help, were cured, said so, and never drank again.
On February 25th, 2010 at 7:20 am ,
Brandy Says:

If you want to be clean you will. AA and NA are not meant to do it for you they are support groups that will help you to maintain your own power from within and desire to change. If you are counting on them to change your life you are going to fail because only YOU can change your life. However if you want a million people to love you and support you while you change your life AA and NA will give you that when you want to relapse you can call 500 people and they can help you out of it. There numbers are large there are meetings daily sometimes even 2-3 times a day. And the people there know what you are going through and want to support you as you change. it is about honesty to your self .
On March 6th, 2010 at 6:52 am ,
jason c. Says:

there are many ways to recover. i have chosen aa because it works for me. by all means, do whatever you have to in order to achieve your goals in recovery. if aa is not your way that’s fine by me, it ‘s not my life, it’s yours. the true principles of the program are about each one of us finding our own path in recovery. it is not a matter of aa being the only way and unfortunately some people do present it in this manner. i simply encourage people to be open-minded and willing to explore the options available. help is available and aa has been wonderful for me.
On May 12th, 2010 at 1:04 am ,
jc Says:

after 3 1/2 years in AA I would now call it a spiritual path, which I really did not want to accept when I was a newcomer. So one needs to grow spiritually , physically , mentally on and on slowly. The program is a place to reflect and use the “tools ” use the people to help each other. There’s no cost$$$- just a willingness to listen and be open minded. As i type this I’m actually feeling more grateful for the AA program-no one here is after your money but everyone supports each other. Newcomers help the ol timers and vice versa. P.S. there’s a lot of humor and laughter at these meetings too!
On May 22nd, 2010 at 3:05 pm ,
Jason Williams Says:

I would like to find a site that has the AA stats.
On May 27th, 2010 at 4:51 pm ,
Dick B. Says:

In order to get the correct statistics, the searcher needs first to decide on the period and the program for which information is sought. Thus, if we are talking about the early Christian Fellowship program founded in Akron in 1935, there are ample statistics as to the documented 75% success rate in Akron, and the early 93% success rate in Cleveland. See Dick B. and Ken B., The Dick B. Christian Recovery Guide, 3rd ed., 2010 (www.dickb.com). As to later years, the statistics are mostly speculative–albeit low. The reason is that the surveys were not done on a sound statistical basis; the population is constantly changing; and the rates are skewered by those who can’t or won’t define the difference between the early program and the changed program in the Big Book and the much more changed situation by 1955 after Dr. Bob and Anne were both dead.
On June 12th, 2010 at 9:27 pm ,
bill Says:

the general attitude of most in the fellowship is “us and them” that is probably what has caused aa memberships to dimish. and eventually will destroy aa itself. like dr bob said to bill about it the fellowship ceases, it will be destroyed from within. the percentage of “aa nazis” has been on the increase, and the membership has fallen for some years now. that not to mention the many anti-christians claiming aa membership in aa. it seems that aa has or is evolving into a cult. at least if fits all the requirements of being called a cult.
On June 23rd, 2010 at 12:00 am ,
Dick B. Says:

I’ve traveled all over the US, communicated with folks all over the world, and attended thousands of meetings for over 24 years of continuous sobriety. Is A.A. a cult? Not if you consider that some two million members are passing in and out with regularity. Not if you learn that the membership includes Jews, Roman Catholics, Protestants, hindus, buddhists, devil worshippers, atheists, agnostics, unbelievers, and felons galore. If that’s a cult, it certainly is an all-inclusive one; and it sure doesn’t have a charismatic leader–or any leader. As far as I know, the leader of the Nazi’s shot himself in a bunker; and I’m really not intimidated by anyone in A.A. who calls himself or is called a step nazi, an AA cop, or a trusted servant with a baseball bat.
What’s happening today is that a minority group of Christians are publishing all kinds of materials trying to convince A.A. Christians that they are on the road to hell if they even set foot in the door of an A.A. room. Then there are the atheists who are condemning A.A. as a religious cult. Then there are the atheists who advocate a “higher power” that can be a tree or Gertrude. Then there are the scientists who think that you can’t measure faith healing because of the absence of blind experiments. Finally, there are lots of folks who just don’t like A.A., are violently anti-A.A., who spend their time lambasting its founders as freemasons, spiritualists, drug users, adulterers, and all the other sinners named in the Bible.
If someone wants to give A.A. a try, let him do so. I did that 24 + years ago. I then heard about all the higher powers, lightbulbs, “spirituality,” “not-gods,” “fourth dimensions,” “Group of Drunks” that passed for a god, and much much more. On the other hand, I dived in as a Christian Bible student, held my tonque on evangelism, learned the Big Book and Steps, went to all kind of events and served as a secretary, treasurer, greeter, and broomsweeper.I also learned that A.A. came from the Bible, that its first three AAs were Christians, that the movement dumped Christianity in 1939, and that it can’t, doesn’t, and won’t dump Christians–be they felons, perverts, sinners, smokers, rabble rousers, or bleeding deacons.
Eventually, you get the point that real AAs don’t drink. Real AAs help others. Hopefully, tolerant AAs don’t run around condemning others in A.A. or A.A. itself. And many AAs,including yours truly believe that God can, does, and has done for them what they could not do for themselves. And beyond that, statistics aren’t worth a fig, nor are opinions about A.A. versus treatment, nor are First Amendment objections to A.A. ruling that it is a religion.
It is what it is. And some of us owe a lot to the existence of this fellowship–warts and boils or not.
And that is about all for today. God Bless, Dick B.
http://www.dickb.com
On July 16th, 2010 at 12:27 am ,
Ken Says:

I have found the discussion of AA very informative. I enjoyed reading the different points of view presented here. My question to the readers–Is AA about abstaining from alcohol or finding the cause of the alcoholism and how exactly is it effective for each individual? It seems to me, clarify if I misunderstand, the main focus of AA is abstaining from the use of alcohol. This is demonstrated by the yearly celebration with a cake i.e. 20 years of sobriety. This of course brings up the question whether or not alcoholism a disease or symptom or both. A question for another time. Now back to the question what is the purpose of AA? If the purpose of AA is to heal one self from a holistic point, stopping drinking is just one step in that process. The 12 steps of AA are to lead a person down a path of healing, but is can that be effectively done on ones own, or even with the help of another who is not trained in therapy. I guess that would depend on the individuals and their intentions in the relationship. If we look at seeing a professional therapist, rather than or even with AA, we must realize that not everyone will be effectively helped by therapy and not all therapist are right for a particular person. That being said, how does one define a healthy individual. Is this a productive member of society by way of job, family, volunteer etc. We would base this off our cultural values. Or maybe is has more to do with how we see ourselves in the eyes of others. There is no doubt AA is a community for those who feel shunned by the ‘outside’ world for their addiction. It can not be overlooked that an effective support group can build success in overcoming and facing daily challenges. This is especially true for those who have, unfortunately, lost all of their family and friends because these people get frustrated and do not know how to help those in need. They quit on their loved ones. No one can do it alone. This brings up the question as to how effective is this support group and do people really get support. What are the group norms and who enforces them and who is accountable for setting the boundaries in the relationships formed. What is the bases of these relationships. Are friendships formed to replace those once lost. Are those friendships unconditional. How does one keep from becoming the ‘dry drunk’. Not only can motivation be found in community, but the idea of a higher power can be beneficial to most people which is a large part of the 12 steps. It is proven that after a life altering event like the death of a child, those who have a spiritual belief tend to come through in a ‘healthier’ manner than those with no belief in a higher power. Now I must consider, how different is a person in AA from those not in AA. How many things do we all have in common compared to our differences. I have often heard those in AA have difficulty spending time with ‘normies.’ Are the struggles we all share so different. Does this type of behaviour promote healing or separate one from others and make it more difficult to integrate into our society. I figure AA is a combination of many things for many people and it’s effectiveness is very subjective. It would be interesting to know the main reasons why people keep coming back.
On July 26th, 2010 at 1:20 pm ,
RODOLFO Says:

QUE NO TE IMPORTE AL ACUDIR A AA A ENCONTRAR SOLUCION A TU PROBLEMA “EL PORCENTAJE DE RECUPERADOS”, EL 100% DE LA RECUPERACION ES TUYA , NO DE LOS DEMAS QUE QUE NO ASISTEN O FALLAN.
ES LA MEJOR SOLUCION A UN PROBLEMA MUNDIAL Y GRATIS, DATE LA OPORTUNIDAD DE VIVIR Y SOBRE TODO DEJAR VIVIR.
EL CEREBRO ES CABRON Y HAY QUE RESPETARLO.
On July 28th, 2010 at 4:30 pm ,
Theresa Says:

I had to “cease fighting everything and everyone” even AA.
On August 12th, 2010 at 12:12 pm ,
James Long Says:

Perhaps your should add a fourth poit to your Action Items list:

4. Do not expect AA to solve your problems. (Neither AA nor any other “program” can “fix” snyone’s problem with drinking. All change has to come from within. The best any such program can accomplish is to “lift the veil” so that one begins to see how one is undermining one’s own efforts to stop drinking or using drugs.)

I have not read all the other posts, so I may be duplicating a suggestion by someone else.
On August 19th, 2010 at 4:49 am ,
Bob & Bill's friend Says:

I came across this site unexpectedlly and it is a fine outline and outlook on AA. It’s true that AA is not for everyone and also true that it is not the only way to get sober. But, for me it was the answer and has been for thirty two years.
On August 20th, 2010 at 7:24 am ,
Bob & Bill's friend Says:

I have just read the site with all the negative statistics, and information about “Alcoholics Anonymous”. None of it was a suprise to me. After many years as an AA member, much of what was written about, I’ve observed in action, and many of the negative statements I read, are the very same words I’ve said myself out of frustration at things I regarded as wrong ridiculous, outrages etc. However, my touch stone has always been, unless I can offer something that I believe in, more than I believe in, AA, I will not tear the fabric of the fellowship of “Alcoholics Anonymous” into tatters before the eyes of a person who is searching for their way.
On August 20th, 2010 at 5:45 pm ,
Dick B. Says:

The ability to turn to God for help in A.A. and other 12 Step Fellowships is as much present today as it was in the early days of the Alcoholics Anonymous Christian Fellowship founded in Akron in 1935. In those days, belief in God was required. So was a decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. So was study of the Bible as well as the old fashioned prayer meetings and reading of Christian literature and devotionals. So, of course, was the requirement of helping others get straightened out by the same means. See Real Twelve Step History (www.dickb.com/realhistory.shtml).
When the simple program of 1935 was followed, 75% of those who really tried and went to any lengths to establish their relationship with God and stay in fellowship with Him, His Son, and other believers were permanently cured. Yes cured! And it was Dr. Silkworth who so stated to the Rockefeller people a few years later.
The situation is different today. 400 pages of Christian and Bible materials were thrown out just before the Big Book went to press. “God” was removed from Steps Two, Three, and Eleven. And atheists and agnostics were invited into the society, along with folks of all races, colors, religious beliefs, or unbelief. Thus to try to take an inventory of this diverse crowd without being able to categorize their status is a vain endeavor.
The important point is that Christians in recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12 Step fellowships are not alone. There are tens, if not hundreds, or thousands of Christians in A.A. today who are as free today as the original AAs were in 1935 to believe in God, claim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, study the Bible, hold prayer meetings, read Christian literature, and help others by the same means.
Rather than being a “cult” today, A.A. and its diverse membership, its believing and unbelieving members, and its lack of any charismatic leader, offers a freedom to believe or not believe that no cult ever embodies.
The case I make is that I chose to believe, to dive into A.A., to help others, and to rely on God. And I believe that offers help to anyone who wants it today.
God Bless, Dick B. http://www.dickb.com