Alcoholics Anonymous: The Absence of Efficacy

Founded in Akron, Ohio, in 1935 by two alcoholics, Bill Wilson and Dr. Robert Smith, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has grown to become the most popular self-help organization in the world for individuals with alcohol-related problems (McCrady, Horvath & Delaney, 2003). Latest figures indicate that there are 2.2 million members worldwide, ninety-seven thousand of which live in Canada (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services website, March 10, 2003). For many people, self-help towards abstinence through AA is the only treatment for alcoholism they receive and for others the program serves as an adjunct and/or follow-up to professional treatment (Tonigan & Hiller-Sturmhofel, 1994). However, it is crucial to remember that popularity does not equal efficacy and in light of the numbers of people choosing or being referred to AA it is important to determine whether or not the program is an effective treatment for alcoholism.
Despite decades of research, the answer to the question “Does Alcoholi...