Being Critical Of A.A. Saves Lives
No mental health treatment should be beyond scrutiny
I’ve been openly critical of Alcoholics Anonymous on this platform and others, which has led to some very predictable counter-criticism from AA members.
It has never been my chief aim to upset anyone, but it would be naive of me to think that my perspective wouldn’t draw some ire from the AA faithful.
I get asked this question by AA members a lot:
“Why be critical of AA when it helps so many people?”
I’m glad you asked.
1. EVERY treatment for a mental health disorder should be held up to scrutiny. That’s the only way to improve the treatment over time.
2. The AA Big Book was published in 1939 and desperately needs updating.
3. The success rate of AA is roughly 10%. What about the other 90% who don’t have success in AA and don’t know where else to turn? (I was one of them)
4. Modern science and medicine don’t use “God” as a viable treatment.
And perhaps most important…
5. To promote other treatments and support groups for alcohol abuse, you have to point out the differences and inherent flaws of AA due to its ubiquity in the recovery world.
