How effective is alcoholics anonymous?

Very!: It works, you must work it. Open mindedness and willingness are everything, if you have a strong desire to quit then aa will work for you. With that said, it is not the only game in town, and others benefit with therapy, medications can assist along with mutual therapy and/or individual therapy. Good luck.

This 12 step program: Has given many their sanity, their health and their soul back. It is an important step toward sobriety. But be forewarned- it requires rigorous honesty, commitment & a desire for sobriety.

Wrong question: People often ask about the effectiveness of a particular treatment for alcoholism or other addictions. It is not the treatment but the person committing an a daily basis to following what they have learned. As aa itself says in its book, "we are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition." (p 85, alcoholics anonymous).

Not very many: By straight statistics less than 10% of all attendees really get long term benefit. However, as an adjunct to either medication assisted abstinence or structured counseling, it offers a lot of benefit. In terms of long term support of abstinence, it is the only game in town and many persons have benefited from the program.

Ask the people: Who are still alive and sober today because of this 12 step program.

Wrong question: People often ask about the effectiveness of a particular treatment for alcoholism or other addictions. It is not the treatment but the person committing an a daily basis to following what they have learned. As aa itself says in its book, "we are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition." (p 85, alcoholics anonymous).