The Staying Power Of Alcoholics Anonymous

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Alcoholics Anonymous continues to lead addicts to sobriety as long as they stick with it for the long haul. Christie Nicholson reports

In 1934 a Westchester stockbroker Bill Wilson, promised his wife he'd never drink again. Then during the following Spring he nearly fell off the wagon. In a desperate move he called a local surgeon and drunk, Bob Smith. It was that conversation that marked the first meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year A.A.—with its 12 guiding principles to sobriety—is a hallmark institution for addicts. But does it work?

Well a 2006 study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research followed 349 drinkers over five years. And scientists found that success rates correlated with the frequency and length of A.A. attendance.

Of those who dropped out of A.A. after the first year, only 43% were still sober at year five. Of those who went to 60 meetings a year 73% continued to abstain. And 79% of those who attended 200 meetings annually had gone into remission by year five. Maybe most surprising, is that 61% of those who attended 200 meetings in their first year but dropped down to six meetings in year five, were still able to stay dry.

But such results show a correlation, and that results, like most things in life, are based on individual circumstances and personality.

Nonetheless most long-term studies conclude that if one sticks with A.A. for the long haul, at least five years, then chances for permanent abstinence steadily increases.

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[NArocks 13]

It works IF YOU work it.....................

[mawilson 2,133]

I alcohol.

[^_^ 5,021]

Why the heck would anyone want to quit drinking? The mind boggles.

[SuperDuper! 230]

Why the heck would anyone want to quit drinking? The mind boggles.

Only Steve would want to stop the party.....Sheesh!

[^_^ 5,021]

Pass me some Bombay Sapphire and let's go egg those AA freaks.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Why the heck would anyone want to quit drinking? The mind boggles.

I can handle my liquor but some unfortunately cannot. For those unfortunate souls, thank God there's AA. Many families have been ripped apart by alcoholism.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I can handle my liquor but some unfortunately cannot. For those unfortunate souls, thank God there's AA. Many families have been ripped apart by alcoholism.

So true. AA has done wonders for so many families. It's all about people helping each other.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

So true. AA has done wonders for so many families. It's all about people helping each other.

Have you watched the show, Intervention? You'd have to have a heart of stone not to break down in tears watching it.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Have you watched the show, Intervention? You'd have to have a heart of stone not to break down in tears watching it.

No, I haven't seen it. I have known several people who grew up with an alcoholic parent, and even both parents in a few cases. It has life changing effects on kids. Some grew up to become alcoholics themselves while others never drank after seeing what it did to their parents. It surely has disrupted millions of lives.

And this is my 12,000th post. And I even made it a serious one.

[^_^ 5,021]

[SuperDuper! 230]

I can handle my liquor but some unfortunately cannot. For those unfortunate souls, thank God there's AA. Many families have been ripped apart by alcoholism.

Self Righteous attitudes really clear the room....

Edited June 14, 2010 by Hopp

[NArocks 13]

Have you watched the show, Intervention? You'd have to have a heart of stone not to break down in tears watching it.

It is great to watch but sometimes real hard at the same time, especially when one has been there. You get the dang jitters all over again. And then you start to remember what happened to your family at the time. It is a rough show but so very good. Wish I knew how they are now, they sometimes do follow ups but just for a year....

No, I haven't seen it. I have known several people who grew up with an alcoholic parent, and even both parents in a few cases. It has life changing effects on kids. Some grew up to become alcoholics themselves while others never drank after seeing what it did to their parents. It surely has disrupted millions of lives.

And this is my 12,000th post. And I even made it a serious one.

woo hoo spook on the great post as your 12,000

[alienlovechild 75]

Have you watched the show, Intervention? You'd have to have a heart of stone not to break down in tears watching it.

Only people with serious addiction problems can't seethe intervention coming even with a camera crew following them around. I guess a lot of people simply don't watch the show even if they are living that lifestyle. The best part is watching these people in action as they are the extreme version of what a lot of people did in their youth.

Edited June 18, 2010 by alienlovechild