Does AA Cure Substance Abusers?

AA has been an alcoholic’s saving grace for the past 75 years. Ever since its’ inception, it has been where alcoholics will go post-rehabilitation to continue their steps to remain sober. After 75 years of AA though, there is skepticism of whether or not it is still a relevant mode of achieving daily sobriety. Unfortunately, even though AA does give abusers the chance to interact socially and, essentially, be held accountable and challenged by their peers, there is still the flaw in the system that since it is anonymous, it is hard to keep track of who comes and goes.

 

Maia Szalavitz of the Pacific Standard: The Science of Society, puts it in these words, “Contrary to popular belief, most people recover from their addictions without any treatment—professional or self-help—regardless of whether the drug involved is alcohol, crack, methamphetamine, heroin, or cigarettes. One of the largest studies of recovery ever conducted found that, of those who had qualified for a diagnosis of alcoholism in the past year, only 25 percent still met the criteria for the disorder a year later” (Szalavitz 2014). So what is revealed within this statement is that, no matter how much we may interfere and shove sobriety down substance abusers throats, ultimately it is up to the individual to want to quit and continue to stay sober. Or, in other words,  if you want to quit, you will go through hell to achieve your goal. The flaw within that statement though is that abusers who want to quit can sometimes feel the pressure from their using friends and, though they fight with all their will power, will relapse because they just lose the will to fight.  

The 12-step program of AA might not be a perfect system, but people in recovery will tell you how much the program has given them support they needed and the right friends who would not pressure them wrongly. The program will continue to grow and give people recovering the hope they need, the support they need, and the courage they need to stay sober.

Abstract

Szalavitz, M. (2014, February 10). After 75 Years of AA, It's Time to Admit We Have a Problem. Retrieved August 30, 2014, from http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-and-culture/75-years-alcoholics-anonymous-time-admit-problem-74268/