Evidence for Alcoholics Anonymous’ Effectiveness

Over the past 50 years, hundreds of studies have examined the effectiveness of AA. In recent years, there have been a number of randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials examining AA attendance and drinking outcomes. This has enabled researchers to undertake a Cochrane review on the effectiveness of AA as well as assertive referral interventions into AA (such as Twelve-Step Facilitation; TSF interventions). There is sufficient evidence to indicate: 

• AA and TSF interventions are superior to other well-established treatments (e.g., CBT) when the outcome is abstinence, and at least as effective as these other well-established treatments for other outcomes (e.g., reduced drinking intensity and alcohol-related consequences)  
• members who engage more fully with the AA program tend to benefit more than those who simply attend meetings; there is a clear association between the level of involvement in AA and better patient outcomes 
• by using assertive referral practices (such as twelve-step facilitation therapy), clinicians can encourage AA involvement and deepen their patient’s commitment to using AA 
• AA attendance is effective as part of an extended care plan, resulting in improved abstinence rates and greater treatment retention 
• patients who attend AA alongside or following treatment show better long-term outcomes than those who attend either treatment or AA alone.