What AA Has All Wrong About Being An “Alcoholic”

Why the 90-year-old program desperately needs updating

I’ve been a critic of AA, but in case you haven’t read any of my previous articles, let me take a second to tell you why:

Alcoholics Anonymous — the most widely known and used support group for alcohol abuse — has an 8–12% success rate by its own best guess estimates.

It’s also the foundation for roughly 90% of the rehabs in the US and utilized by most state courts.

When 90% of the recovery system uses one program with an 8–12% success rate — that’s a big problem.

The need for multiple methods of recovery — therapy, medications, secular support groups, etc. — promoted equally is paramount if we are ever to see the sobriety success rate climb.

I may be a foolish optimist, but believe it can be done. Provided enough people speak up.

Here are 3 myths that AA perpetuates:

3. You’re either a “real alcoholic” — or you are not one.

It’s an idea that is patently false — as well as dangerous.

It prevents a large number of people from examining their alcohol consumption before it’s too late.