How Alcoholics Anonymous AA and Narcotics Anonymous NA Work: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives

First, Laudet examined the role of 12-Step affiliation—meeting attendance and involvement in 12-Step suggested activities—as predictors of abstinence sustained continuously over one or more years. Attending 12-Step meetings, considering one’s self a member of a 12-Step fellowship, and working the steps at baseline were predictive of sustained abstinence over one year. Continuous 12-Step attendance (weekly or more frequent) over 3 years predicted sustained abstinence over three years. Across recovery stages, individuals were 4.1 to 8.6 times more likely to achieve sustained abstinence by continuous 12-Step meeting attendance and involvement. As AA took off, there was a group of people who were struggling with addiction, but they lacked the type of support people received in AA. Because AA was designed to assist alcoholics, those who used recreational or prescription drugs weren’t included.

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Although both programs follow the 12-step model, NA is more inclusive of all substances, whereas AA primarily addresses alcohol addiction. The success rate of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) varies, but research indicates that it is highly effective compared to other treatment methods for alcohol addiction. The benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous are long-term abstinence, a structured program that guides individuals through recovery, and a lower chance of relapse. The 12 principles of Alcoholics Anonymous are honesty, hope, faith, courage, integrity, willingness, humility, love, discipline, perseverance, spirituality, and service. These principles guide individuals through their recovery journey, helping them develop the emotional and spiritual strength necessary to overcome alcohol addiction and maintain long-term sobriety. Finally, Laudet presented data from a quasi-experimental study on the influence of holding a 12-Step meeting on-site at a treatment program on clients’ 12-Step participation and substance use outcomes after treatment.

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this information on alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs. For a while, Dr. Smith and Wilson worked under the umbrella of the Oxford Group. However, they were often criticized for their practices.

Participants were drawn from two similar treatment programs with the key difference between them being that one held a weekly 12-Step meeting on-site and the other one did not. Participants did not differ significantly across programs in terms of substance use, treatment, or 12-Step history. To read more about this research, please see Laudet (2008a, 2008b).

• Helping each other is a key to staying sober.
• However, it’s a difference that goes much deeper than that.
• One is external (alcohol) and one is internal (addiction).
• Throughout my misadventures when I drank, my friends would say, “Why are you doing this?

The AA program

Additionally, there are non-substance-related 12-step programs like Overeaters Anonymous (OA), Gamblers Anonymous (GA), and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA). At first glance, it may seem as though your choice between AA and NA should be an obvious one. However, as you dig deeper, you’ll realize that’s not the case at all.

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• We do not impose our experience with problem drinking on others, but we do share it when we are asked to do so.
• Informing “the third person” who may come in contact with the active alcoholic.
• The most efficient way to place orders is via our online shop.
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) refers to a fellowship of individuals who share a common desire to stop drinking and help others achieve sobriety.
• We try to keep these facts uppermost in our minds at all times because they seem to be the key to our sobriety.

While AA is specifically designed for those struggling with alcohol addiction, the principles of the 12-step program are applied to various types of substance abuse, such as drug addiction or gambling. Individuals who attend AA groups are committed to stop abusing alcohol and remain sober. The meetings offer a multitude of ways to support ongoing recovery, like an effective 12-step program designed to treat alcoholism.

Can I find more information about A.A. before my first meeting?

The sample was composed of 166 male and female teens (average age 16) who had completed an inpatient treatment program. Every individual who takes part in an AA group is advised to read the Big Book, the bible of the organization. The Big Book provides stories of inspiration and recovery resources that will help you on your journey to achieving long-term sobriety.

The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking. According to a 2014 AA membership survey, 27% of members have been sober less than a year. After more than 20 years, 22% have remained sober. The most efficient way to place orders is via our online shop. Orders will be shipped to the address provided with the order. Online orders can also be collected from GSO.

Spiritual Significance

The rotation of positions allows individuals to be as active as they want to be within their chapter. AA is not run by a leadership team, but rather, by members who are former alcoholics with a desire to help others. This organizational structure has been tremendously successful for AA and its more than two million members. Annually, AA continues to increase its number of chapters around the world and currently has more than 123,000 groups.

By 1937, they broke away from the Oxford Group and started AA. Although Dr. Smith and Wilson kept several elements of the Oxford group, such as holding informal gatherings, going through steps and working for no income, they made many changes. The addition of AA steps, meetings and sponsors has helped the organization become recognizable as an effective support group to millions of people worldwide. In AA, alcoholics help each other.We will support you. Together, we find strength and hope.You are just one step away. We are a Fellowship of people who have lost the ability to control our drinking and have found ourselves in various kinds of trouble as a result of drinking.

Those who said AA was not helpful said they couldn’t relate to others in AA groups, found there was too much negativity and complaining, or felt they could handle the problem on their own. For a more detailed description of this work, please see Robinson, Price, Kurtz, and Brower (2009). AA was originally founded on the principles of the Oxford Group, a Christian-based self-help group. Initially, founder Bill Wilson did not have much success in helping those struggling with drinking problems get and remain sober.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. AA meetings serve as a space where individuals discuss recovery from alcoholism, with flexibility in how meetings are conducted. The human toll of alcohol abuse is tremendous, but there are also direct monetary expenses related to drinking.