Mini Series 12 - Addiction Q&A - 2

Busting Addiction and Its Myths

Q: How important is AA?

A: Alcoholics Anonymous is the world’s largest support group with 115,000 chapters worldwide and an estimated membership of over two million. Moreover, it is endorsed by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) as an accepted evidence-based behavioural therapy. It carries much weight among many practitioners and treatment centres and is often recommended by therapists to help alcoholics take the next step in their recovery following front-line treatment.
AA is the pioneer of 12-step programs all over the world. From it stem over 30 other 12-step programs, including Al-Anon, a support group for families, Narcotics Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and 26 other programs dedicated to helping people overcome addictive disorders of one kind or another.