Is AA the Best Treatment of Alcoholism?

McKellar, J., Stewart, E., & Humphreys, K. (April, 2003). Alcoholics Anonymous: Involvement and Positive Alcohol-Related Outcomes: Cause, Consequence, or Just a Correlate? A Prospective 2-Year Study of 2,319 Alcohol-Dependent Men. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology; 71 (2): 302-308.

McKellar, Stewart, and Humphreys study the causality between A.A. involvement and positive alcohol related outcomes in 2319 male subjects (p. 304). Their model included involvement after 1 year of sobriety in relation to a 2-year follow-up, examining the levels of alcohol related problems (p. 305). Their findings include that the participation in the A.A. program can have a positive effect of alcohol-related problems, independent from motivation factors or psychopathology (p. 306-308).

This source is important because the study was done in a scientific manner, with a control group and sound methodology (p. 303-305). The study involves analysis of previous works, using the same hypothesis (p. 302-303), and comes to the same conclusions (p. 306-308). In addition, the journal the study appears in is a reputable scientific journal within the psychology community.

Call Number: AN 9381582, EBSCO Host

Gossop M, Harris J, Best D, Man LH, Manning V, Marshall J, Strang J. (Sept/Oct., 2003). Is attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after inpatient treatment related to improved outcomes? A 6-month follow-up study. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 38 (5):421-6.

Gossop, et al., investigate the relationship between Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings prior to, during, and after leaving treatment, and changes in outcome following inpatient treatment for alcohol related issues (p. 421). The study assesses patients upon admission for inpatient treatment, and asses them again in a 6-month period, using a sample of 150 patients (p. 424). The results conclude that those patients who attend A.A. meetings following treatment are more likely to abstain more often than those who do not attend, or attend infrequently (p. 425-426). They also found that, even with A.A., only drinking behaviors were lessened, while other alcohol related issues persisted (p. 426).

The article is important for two main reasons. The first is that the researchers used sound methodology and a control sample to reduce casual effects (p. 424). The research also points out that even with A.A., only drinking behavior is reduced (p. 426). This lends to the idea that A.A., while a useful tool in treatment, is not a sole determinant of a positive outcome, but only a portion of that outcome. In addition, the Journal the article appears in is a reliable source of information.

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Morton, K. (May, 2002). Attending Step Meetings as a Course Requirement: A Preliminary Investigation. Teaching of Psychology; 29 (2): 125-129.

Morton examines how the 12-step program of A.A. increases students understanding of alcoholism, and related problems (p 125). In the study, students from Drug and behavior courses attend session of A.A (p 126). The students then wrote reaction papers, based on what they saw and heard. The students reported that attending the meetings increased their understanding of alcohol treatment (p 128). The study also addresses issues wit the comfort level of the students, and suggests way to increase their comfort levels in future studies of this type (p. 129).

Although this study does not directly involve treatment subjects, it does point to two important aspects of A.A. The first is that of the understanding of treatment. This is a vital part to controlling behaviors, and, since the students did not have prior exposure to A.A. (p. 126), and still learned about alcohol treatment, and its effects, the study lends to the idea that A.A. can assist even those who do not fully understand their addictions. In addition, the study looks at comfort levels in A.A. meetings, another important point for treatment members (p. 129).

Call Number: AN 6472504, EBSCO Host

Cunningham, J. & Breslin, F. (Winter, 2001). Exploring patterns of remission from alcohol dependence with and without Alcoholics Anonymous in a population sample. Contemporary Drug Problems, 28 (4): 559- 556.

Cunningham and Breslin examine the relationship between A.A. And remission from alcohol dependence, and compare that relationship to those without A.A. related activities. Modern research in the area is reviewed (p. 560-561). The study was based on the idea that those who attend A.A. should stop drinking behavior more abruptly than those without A.A. (p. 561). 277 subjects were evaluated as to the time span between their last drink, and the cessation of symptoms (p. 561). Cunningham and Breslin conclude that A.A. members have a more abrupt cessation of drinking that those without A.A treatment, and experience fewer alcohol related problems following A.A> treatment than those without A.A (p. 562-565).

This article is important, because it is conducted using proven methods (p. 561), and shows the correlation between A.A and the speed of recovery for alcoholics. In addition, previous research on the subject is reviewed, providing references so that the research can be reviewed by the reader (p. 560-561, p. 566). Also the journal in which the study was published is a reputable journal, so the results and study can be trusted for validity.

Call Number: AN 6582532, EBSCO Host