Finally, the research is in: the Cochrane Collaboration, a team of the best minds from Harvard Medical School and the University of Massachusetts (UMASS) Hospital concluded in a meta-review of 28 research studies That Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) not only works but works better than other treatment alternatives. Here is a summary of the findings as reported in the March 12th, 2020 issue of the New York Times.
- AA has always had its detractors but is possible that some, not all, people can come around and believe AA is a worthwhile resource if they were presented compelling evidence.
- The most comprehensive study reported by the venerable New York Times conclusively demonstrated that AA was the most effective program among all those studied (27 studies in all) in getting and keeping people sober.
- Moreover, where AA was a part of a larger program, the success rate was better than other non-AA related approaches.
- “AA is the closest thing to a free lunch in public health, as it’s free and it’s everywhere.”
- Finally, there is one thing that science hasn’t been able to measure so far: the degree to which AA helps rebuild one’s personal character, for it’s not about just staying sober, it’s about growing up and holding ourselves accountable as honest citizens, no longer a menace to society.
