AA doesn't work because it is a one size fits all program. True or false?

Question

I've worked the program for over a year. But having so many different types of people trying to conform to one program is almost impossible. You have folks in there who are 20 and folks who are 90. You have folks in there who have dual addictions (drugs and alcohol), you have folks in there with severe mental problems, etc. Maybe if it was broken down somehow into special groups for different types of alcoholics. I mean, you have to be able to relate to at least somebody in the room who is your age. But how could one size fit all? That rarely works with anything in life.

Answer 1

The idea of a fellowship where people with a similar problem support each other and help each other to stay on track is helpful in my opinion; however, the idea that an alcoholic is beyond human help and can only be saved by God and surrendering your own will to God is false.  It is also unhelpful to categorise everyone who would benefit from complete abstinence an alcoholic or as suffering from a disease. Both the people and solution required are more complex.

(Edit) Re. Dottie's comment on Anonymity. If you are not personally identifiable you have not broken your anonymity (at the level of press,radio or film particularly), it would be correct not to engage in controversy and that includes in a private email, but you can give your experience.  More importantly, perhaps is to remember no-one has the authority to claim to represent AA as a whole, it is all only personal views.

Answer 2

I know what you mean.  I am not an alcoholic, but have tried a 12 step program.  I find it just does not fit me.

Answer 3

The people may have lots of differences, but they all have the same problem with alcohol.  Finding common ground is one of the ways people are able to recover.  A 90 year old probably had the same hangovers as a 15 year old, so they can share experience and ideas with each other.

Answer 4

i used to believe that. i also believed it was spiritual, therefore non-scientific and therefore could not work unless you believed in god. not the case.  the beauty is in its one-size-fits-all structure. it means for everyone theres hope. it involves simple principles when applied to anyones life, things get better...never worse.the 12 steps are not rules, just suggestions which are open for each individuals interpretation. you decide how far you want to go, how many changes you're willing to make, how much better you want your life to get, the sky is the limit. 7 years ago i went into the program not believing a word they said, i didnt believe in god, im a drug addict, an alcoholic and im bipolar. but i belong there. and that program gives me hope as it does for anyone who is powerless over their drinking or using. and age is just a number. ive met some people 30, 40, 50 years older than me who experience the exact same emotions that i go thru. that's enough for me to relate to. that's enough to give me hope that i can recover. maybe one-size-fits-all doesnt work in many places, but it works in AA for those who have a sincere desire to stop drinking.

Answer 5

the major problem with aa is the motivation . most are there unwillingly,

ordered, pre-empting a jail sentence or an or else from a family member etc.the trick is to intermingle the differences: " joe would you talk to old fred for me? he's having a problem like you had and i think you're just the person who can help him",,"mr smith would you talk to young tom for me. with your experience i think you may be able to help him". you'll homogenize your group and you will find that in helping others we end up helping ourselves. they usually end up partners in a mutual endevor and you will end up with ONE group of friends.

Answer 6

Whatever the reason, it certainly doesn't work very well.

http://www.behaviortherapy.com/whatworks...

http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.p...

http://www.orange-papers.org/

You might like this better...I do...

http://www.smartrecovery.org/

Answer 7

AA is full of hypocrites- WATCH OUT!!!!

Answer 8

My husband is attending AA meetings, and I like to go with him once in a while.  I think that the great thing about the meetings is the fact that it doesn't matter who you are, or where you're from, addiction can consume anyone.  That is the thing that all of these different people have in common.  It doesn't matter who you are, you get together and have the ability to meet people and help them as they help you.  The point of AA is to recognize your addiction, no matter what it may be, and overcome it, and no matter what, you are never alone.  There will always be one person who you can relate to, if not certain things about everyone that you can relate to.  It works if you work it.  And it may not work for absolutely everyone, actually the fact is that it doesn't work for everyone, you have to dedicate yourself to getting better...that's the only way it will work for you.  And I wish you the best of luck...work the program.

Another note:  It is nice to find a small, intimate group of people to work with rather than large meetings.  You can get to know the people on a more personal basis, and learn to be more comfortable in talking to those people.  I can see how it would be harder if you were in a room full of people.  The meetings that we go to are usually 5-10 people max.  

Answer 9

Do to the principles of the fellowship of AA I have attempted to answer your question in a private email.  We do not engage in any controversy neither oppose nor endorses any outside issues.  Anonymity is the Spiritual Foundation of our Program: ever reminding us to place principles before personality, therefore I will not and can not write to you about what takes place in our fellowship on any open forum.  Please direct your attention to the  private email I sent you.