What The Stanford Study Of AA’s Effectiveness (Really) Says

It’s all about connection

It Wasn’t News To Me

In my discussions with AA members — some of whom are not too pleased with my critiques of the program — many have pointed to the conclusion of the 2020 Stanford Study of the Effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The concluding summary of the study is as follows:

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.

This conclusion did not surprise me at all.

No more than “churchgoers stay married longer” — even though I’m not the least bit religious.

Why?

Social connection to a group and/or community is a powerful thing.

Connection is key

In his groundbreaking 2015 viral TED Talk video, Johann Hari details why “connection is the opposite of addiction.”

This video reverberated and resonated throughout the recovery world.