A new study concludes that the Alcoholics Anonymous program is the most effective way to treat alcohol use disorder. The researchers said people who complete the organization’s 12-step program have better success at abstinence as well as relationships with family members and friends.
Full Answer
What is the best treatment for alcohol addiction?
Alcoholics Anonymous has been the “go-to” treatment for alcohol addiction since the 1930s and is often court-mandated. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been the “go-to” treatment for alcohol addiction since the 1930s.
Is AA the most effective way to abstain from alcohol?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), the worldwide fellowship of sobriety seekers, is the most effective path to abstinence. So says a study published today in Cochrane Database of Systematic Review.
What is the success rate of AA treatment?
Although AA has been criticized by some sources for having a low success rate, the rate likely isn’t 5% like some say it is. 7 Addiction specialists cite success rates slightly higher, between 8% and 12%. 7
How successful is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?
How Successful is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)? Alcoholics Anonymous has been the “go-to” treatment for alcohol addiction since the 1930s and is often court-mandated. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been the “go-to” treatment for alcohol addiction since the 1930s.
Which is considered the most effective treatment for alcoholism?
A new study concludes that the Alcoholics Anonymous program is the most effective way to treat alcohol use disorder. The researchers said people who complete the organization's 12-step program have better success at abstinence as well as relationships with family members and friends.
What is the most effective in treating addiction?
According to American Addiction Centers, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a valuable treatment tool because it can be used for many different types of addiction including, but not limited to, food addiction, alcohol addiction, and prescription drug addiction.
What is the real success rate of AA?
Addiction specialists cite success rates slightly higher, between 8% and 12%. A New York Times article stated that AA claims that up to 75% of its members stay abstinent. Alcoholics Anonymous' Big Book touts about a 50% success rate, stating that another 25% remain sober after some relapses.
What rehab has the highest success rate?
Roughly 80 percent of patients report benefiting from improved quality of life and health after completing drug and alcohol rehab. Florida has the highest success rates of drug rehab compared to all other states.
What do you believe is the best treatment for drug and alcohol addictions?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a one-on-one therapy during which you meet privately with a therapist over a period of time. It's often considered the most effective therapy for drug and alcohol use disorders.
What are three options for drug abuse treatment?
There are many options that have been successful in treating drug addiction, including:behavioral counseling.medication.medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal symptoms or deliver skills training.evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.More items...•
What is the average length of sobriety in AA?
14 percent of AA members stay sober between 10 and 20 years. 22 percent of AA members stay sober 20 or more years. The average length of AA member sobriety is nearly 10 years.
How do you stay sober forever?
Even if you have cravings to use, be honest with yourself. Once you acknowledge these thoughts for yourself, you can reach out to your sober friends for help. Staying sober forever is really about staying sober one day or one moment at a time. You can't do recovery alone.
What is the failure rate of AA?
“Peer reviewed studies peg the success rate of AA somewhere between five and 10 percent,” writes Dodes. “About one of every 15 people who enter these programs is able to become and stay sober.”
Does rehab work better than jail?
Drug rehab is a much better alternative to jail time for many people struggling with addiction. Comparing the benefits of rehab vs. jail time is crucial when looking at those in the system for drug offenses. People who struggle with substance abuse and addiction are more likely to end up with drug charges.
What part of the brain loses GREY matter with years of drug use?
Lower grey matter volume associated with years of use was observed for several regions including anterior cingulate, inferior frontal gyrus and insular cortex.
How many treatment centers are there in the United States?
In the United States, more than 14,500 specialized drug treatment facilities provide counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management, and other types of services to persons with substance use disorders.
How does AA work?
AA works because it’s based on social interaction, Humphreys said, noting that members give one another emotional support as well as practical tips to refrain from drinking. “If you want to change your behavior, find some other people who are trying to make the same change,” he said.
What is the most effective way to abstinence?
Alcoholics Anonymous, the worldwide fellowship of sobriety seekers, is the most effective path to abstinence, according to a comprehensive analysis conducted by a Stanford School of Medicine researcher and his collaborators.
When did the AA start?
AA began in 1935 when two men in Akron, Ohio, were searching for a way to stay sober; they found it by forming a support group. They later developed the 12 steps, the first being accepting one’s inability to control drinking; the last, helping others sustain sobriety by becoming a sponsor of a new member.
Is AA a good therapy?
Although AA is well-known and used by millions around the world, mental health professionals are sometimes skeptical of its effectiveness, Humphreys said. Psychologists and psychiatrists, trained to provide cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement therapy to treat patients with alcohol-use disorder, can have a hard time admitting that the lay people who run AA groups do a better job of keeping people on the wagon.
Is AA better than other interventions?
Most of the studies that measured abstinence found AA was significantly better than other interventions or no intervention. In one study, it was found to be 60% more effective. None of the studies found AA to be less effective.
Is Alcoholics Anonymous effective?
Alcoholics Anonymous most effective path to alcohol abstinence. A Stanford researcher and two collaborators conducted an extensive review of Alcoholics Anonymous studies and found that the fellowship helps more people achieve sobriety than therapy does. The Alcoholics Anonymous model — open to all and free — has spread around the globe, ...
How to help someone with alcoholism?
It is important that as you try to help your loved one, you find a way to take care of yourself as well. It may help to seek support from others, including friends, family, community, and support groups. If you are developing your own symptoms of depression or anxiety, think about seeking professional help for yourself. Remember that your loved one is ultimately responsible for managing his or her illness.
How many people have alcohol use disorder?
Many people struggle with controlling their drinking at some time in their lives. Approximately 17 million adults ages 18 and older have an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and 1 in 10 children live in a home with a parent who has a drinking problem.
What is the NIAAA working on?
By studying the underlying causes of alcoholism in the brain and body, NIAAA is working to identify key cellular or molecular structures — called “targets” — that could lead to the development of new medications.
How many times is alcohol dependent?
Studies show that people who are alcohol dependent are two to three times as likely to suffer from major depression or anxiety over their lifetime. When addressing drinking problems, it’s important to also seek treatment for any accompanying medical and mental health issues.
What is the first step in a treatment plan?
For anyone thinking about treatment, talking to a primary care physician is an important first step — he or she can be a good source for treatment referrals and medications. A primary care physician can also: Evaluate whether a patient’s drinking pattern is risky. Help craft a treatment plan. Evaluate overall health.
What is behavioral treatment?
Also known as alcohol counseling, behavioral treatments involve working with a health professional to identify and help change the behaviors that lead to heavy drinking. Behavioral treatments share certain features, which can include: Developing the skills needed to stop or reduce drinking.
What is AA peer support?
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs provide peer support for people quitting or cutting back on their drinking. Combined with treatment led by health professionals, mutual-support groups can offer a valuable added layer of support.
What is success in AA?
Success is a vague term to describe the prognosis of the program. Some people never relapse while others relapse and never relapse again after that initial bump in the road. There isn’t an exact success rate available since many of the results are published by AA and vary based on several factors.
What is the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism featured results on a long-term study on AA members. The study consisted of formally treated, informally treated (AA), and untreated individuals who suffered from an alcohol problem. 10.
How many groups does Alcoholics Anonymous have?
and around the world, the widespread presence of AA is not a surprise. Alcoholics Anonymous has more than 115,000 groups worldwide. 5. 32% of people were introduced to the group by another member.
How does AA work?
Alcoholics Anonymous uses the 12-step approach. Members complete each step on their path to recovery, often with the help of a sponsor. Step 1: admit powerless over alcohol. Step 2: accept that a higher power, in whatever form, will restore your sanity.
Why don't people participate in AA studies?
Because AA is anonymous, some members of the group don’t participate in studies since it could breach the anonymity of the group. Many want their participation in AA to remain unidentified, in line with the group’s original intention. Additionally, participants might not want to admit to relapse.
How to get rid of addiction?
Step 8: list people you hurt during your addiction and be willing to make amends. Step 9: make amends to those people unless it would harm them. Step 10: continue to take a personal inventory, and when you’re wrong, admit it. Step 11: use prayer and meditation to connect with the higher power.
What is the treatment for alcohol addiction?
Alcoholics Anonymous has been the “go-to” treatment for alcohol addiction since the 1930s and is often court-mandated. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been the “go-to” treatment for alcohol addiction since the 1930s. Its group meetings of other alcoholics, some recovering and some expressing a desire to recover, offer support ...
How long does it take to become sober in AA?
The average time of sobriety of successful AA members, as reported by AA, is more than five years. If the success rate is 10 percent or 35 percent, it is not a success for the majority of AA members.
How many AA members drop out of meetings?
A meeting may be just what they need to avoid drinking “just a little” alcohol. But Scientific American reports that about 40 percent of AA members drop out during the first year.
Is AA harmful?
However, it can also be harmful, particularly if an AA group is confrontational. An alcoholic may become resistant to change when attacked by the people he expects to help him. Drug courts believe in AA; physicians and counselors routinely recommend it, and the general public believes in it.
Does AA require an application?
AA does not require an application or approval process; there are no dues.
Can a prescription drug help an alcoholic?
Prescription drugs combined with therapy can assist the recovering alcoholic to achieve sobriety. Roger D. Weiss, MD, professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School notes that “medications can sometimes reduce the desire to drink.
The Top Five Most Successful Rehab Centers
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What Makes Alcoholics Anonymous Successful?
The fact that Alcoholics Anonymous offers strong potential for success in helping an individual recover from alcohol addiction is not news. Although most medical and addiction professionals recognize its effectiveness, no one had investigated which elements of the 12-Step approach make it so, until recently.
Need Help Finding an Intervention Specialist?
We can refer you to an experienced interventionist who can help you help your loved one.
The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
Types of Addiction Intervention
Johnson Model The Johnson Model of Intervention is a confrontational approach to drug and alcohol intervention that was introduced in the 1960s. An interventionist leads the family and close friends in this planned confrontation, which is unknown to the addicted individual beforehand.
What are some examples of people who are more likely to stop drinking?
For example, women, older people, people with a higher level of education, people with more social resources, and people who don’t use avoidance as a coping mechanism are more likely to successfully stop drinking [10]
Why is alcohol dependence more likely?
Early life experiences and the nature of family interactions can make alcohol dependence more likely. For example, people who experienced more than two adverse events during their childhood have a higher risk of developing a dependence on alcohol over their lifetime [8]
Can alcoholism cause mental health problems?
Often, people with an alcohol dependence are also dealing with other mental health problems. Sometimes these can be a result of the alcohol dependence, but at other time an underlying mental health problem can make alcohol dependence more likely. The most common mental health issues that can influence alcohol dependence include:
Is alcohol addiction genetic?
There is a genetic component to alcohol addiction. We know this from scientific studies that have used a few different approaches. For example, the risk of alcohol dependence in people who are adopted is more closely related to their birth parents’ risk than their adopted parents’ risk.
Is alcohol dependence a linear or linear issue?
Alcohol dependence is a complex and deeply personal issue. The road to recovery is never linear and there are often setbacks. We do, however, have plenty of evidence and knowledge about what can help someone succeed in their recovery and how to prevent them from relapsing (or how to cope with the relapse if it does happen).
Rehab or AA: The Former
Dr. Akikur Mohammad, writing for the Huffington Post, has perhaps the best analogy that strengthens the argument for choosing an alcoholism treatment center in addition to a 12 Step recovery program: “Support groups are critical for the management of any disease.
Rehab or AA: The Latter
For many individuals considering whether to go to rehab or AA, their decisions often hinge on the effectiveness of one vs. the other. Again, it’s important to note that it doesn’t have to be an either/or scenario, and the fact is that the best chance of sobriety and quality-of-life improvement occurs when both are utilized.
Why Not Both?
To recap: Alcoholism treatment and 12 Step meetings aren’t mutually exclusive.
When Is It Time For Treatment?
Options For Treatment
- When asked how alcohol problems are treated, people commonly think of 12-step programs or 28-day inpatient rehab, but may have difficulty naming other options. In fact, there are a variety of treatment methods currently available, thanks to significant advances in the field over the past 60 years. Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution,...
What Fda-Approved Medications Are available?
- Certain medications have been shown to effectively help people stop or reduce their drinking and avoid relapse.
Tips For Selecting Treatment
- Professionals in the alcohol treatment field offer advice on what to consider when choosing a treatment program. Overall, gather as much information as you can about the program or provider before making a decision on treatment. If you know someone who has first-hand knowledge of the program, it may help to ask about his or her personal experience. Here are some questions y…
Resources
- Please note: NIAAA recently launched the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. This online tool helps you find the right treatment for you — and near you. It guides you through a step-by-step process to finding a highly qualified professional treatment provider. Learn more at https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov.