Alcoholics Anonymous Celebrates 73 Years of Aiding Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous Celebrates 73 Years of Aiding Recovery
November 8, 2008

News Summary

Bill Wilson and Bob Smith created Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) 73 years ago, but the program is stronger than ever, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Oct. 19.

"Twelve-step programs are very helpful for a lot of people, especially when it comes to substance-abuse issues," said Tommie Richardson, a staff member at the Ridgeview Institute, an Atlanta-area addiction hospital. "They are the most successful modality we know of right now. The fact that they've been around so long and continue to thrive tells you that."

The 12-step program is based on spirituality, self-examination and self-renewal. Narcotics Anonymous and Al-Anon follow AA in worldwide popularity.

However, some health professionals say the spirituality aspect of the program scares some away. "I see folks who have gotten into treatment after a DUI or who think it's an aberration," said Bob Fredrick, a clinical social worker and therapist in Atlanta. "They say 'I just don't connect there' or 'I'm not as bad as them.' There's a lot of denial with addiction."

Twelve-step programs are superior to individual therapy, according to addiction counselor Scott Maddox. "You have people who have common problems and experience with solutions to those problems," he said. "They provide a support network for ongoing recovery that therapy doesn't provide."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Mikeyo on 10 Nov 08 10:45 AM EST

The "official" founding date of Alcoholics Anonymous is June 10, 1935. This is the date of Dr. Bob's last drink.

Posted by Pat Nichols on 10 Nov 08 10:50 AM EST

Bob Fredrick, please find another occupation!!!!

Posted by The Rev'd Hugh Tudor-Foley on 10 Nov 08 11:01 AM EST

AA is 73 - today it is my gift - I am sober and alive today thanks to sponsors and AA. AA's Birthday and I get the gift! Hugh

Posted by Dan Iser on 10 Nov 08 11:05 AM EST

Congratulations AA! It's amazing what you can do without a "President or Chief Executive Officer". KISS from Pennsylvania

Posted by John from Oceanside on 10 Nov 08 11:22 AM EST

AA has helped millions of people over the past 73 years. While a minority can find something they don't like about the program, it still can help them. There are other self-help groups out there and if a individual can find recovery there great. We don't need to help an individual create an excuse not to find recovery.

Posted by Jon Casida on 10 Nov 08 11:31 AM EST

Thank you AA for being there for me. More than the spirituality aspect what really scares people away is the "self-examination" that goes along with changing for the better.

Posted by Cate Sementa on 10 Nov 08 11:35 AM EST

The most profound statement, the only pertinent statement for the suffering alcoholic about AA is this: It works - it really does.

Posted by Thomas A. Landers on 10 Nov 08 11:59 AM EST

The birthday of Alcoholics Anonymous is June 10th. It was, indeed, 73 years old on that day. It was founded in Akron, Ohio

Posted by Jerry Cleaves on 10 Nov 08 12:22 PM EST

I was blessed to have found AA in my life. It´s been 13 years since I don´t abuse drugs or alcohol. I am proof the program works if you work it. AA it´s been the most successful recovery program in the history of the world, although, it is not for everyone who wishes or needs to quit drugs, alcohol and dysfunctional behaviors. It will continue being the most successful program as long as the individual wants it so.

Posted by Seal Beach Jack on 10 Nov 08 12:27 PM EST

I found the way out of my hell through Sundown M Ranch and AA. I love AA and what its done for me. Keep coming back, no matter what. Love Jackson

Posted by john on 10 Nov 08 01:08 PM EST

AA and 12-Step programs are great! However, there are those who need more than a 12-Step program and that's where other therapies can help. They aren't necessarily mutually exclusive modalities and often work in a complimentary way. Keep comin' back!

Posted by Confused Rich on 10 Nov 08 01:25 PM EST

I am confused here. I had attebnded AA for years until I made the decision that I don't have to go to meetings to stay abstinent from all mood altering substances. When is the last time Bill used any other drugs to get high on? Seems his use of LSD would be taken a look at. I wish his idea of giving all AA members acid would have been adopted, not only would I have been able to talk with God but see him as well. Well I guess as long as one don't drink and continues to use, valium, pain killers, nicotine and cafienne, energy drinks in large amounts and heroin they can celebrate not drinking alcohol. May you have many more candles on your cake while many continue to kill themselves and others in the rooms of AA.

Posted by Been there on 10 Nov 08 01:29 PM EST

It really does work, but there are conditions and it doesn't work for the "constitutionally incapable". A.A. promotes abstinence from alcohol. It teaches us to play by the rules and not abuse prescribed medication or use illicit drugs. Honesty and willingness to admit our faults are not guidelines for wimps- it takes genuine courage and humility. A.A. is not treatment. It is a way of life, a society, a fellowship. Many institutions have tried to “treat” people with A.A. only to fail. Of course it should be an adjunct to any treatment or therapy but it cannot be bought, insured or sold. For when another imposes A.A. on someone, the most fundamental element for the necessary psychic change is missed. I am forever grateful to the founders for I was the bewildered one. My life is more joyous and full than one could imagine. By far, the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous was one of the most profound occurrences in the twentieth century.

Posted by John W. on 10 Nov 08 01:33 PM EST

Thanks to AA I recently celebrated 26 years sober and sane. I agree with the article that certain DUI offenders and others were scared off by AA. One of the grave mistake that we made, or still make, is to send invividuls in alcohol abuse (not alcohol dependence) to addiction treatment or AA. This is like giving insulin for prevention of diabetes. We now have programs that deal with prevention or alcohol abuse such as Prime for Life. Check them out at primeforlife.org.

Posted by Kevn D. Cook on 10 Nov 08 01:46 PM EST

The concept of GOD as a higher power sometimes is adversarial due to traumatic events in many alcoholics' and addicts' earlier lives. They are angry with God for allowing some atrocity to occur in their lives. But in AA, one can come up with his own concept of a Higher Power, and still find that spiritual connection.

Posted by Fred on 10 Nov 08 02:29 PM EST

Veteran's Day, 2008, marks 26 years since I got clean and sober in AA. I've stayed that way by daily focus on what I learned there. I am also a professional counselor. My observation is that if someone doesn't want to stop drinking or using, they won't, whether they're with AA, me or Betty Ford. God knows we will use any excuse to keep from changing our behavior.

Posted by Leslie Basden on 10 Nov 08 02:35 PM EST

The insistence on self-labeling is a mistake. The requirement of a higher power is a turn-off. And to conquer this behavior requires a belief in one's own power to change and to overcome. Having said all of that, I'm glad AA exists and congratulate those who have been aided by its principles.

Posted by Henry Steinberger from Madison WI on 10 Nov 08 03:18 PM EST

It is not "denial" to not believe in an iterventionist deity (higher power" who takes away ones "character defects" but it is a rejection of a religious path to sobriety. Insisting that AA and the 12-steps is the only path is placing a stumbling block before those the AA'ers regard as blind. The correct thing to do is to let everyone know that there is a science-based SECULAR approach that really works and saves lives too, which appeals to non-theists (that means deists, pan-theists, agnostics and not just atheists and anti-theists - look them up). A recent survey found that 85% of the folks getting sober with SMART Recovery - smartrecovery.org - don't buy into the HP path, but half of those were believers in a god who created them with the ability to solve their addiction (and I guess created SMART Recovery volunteers to help). Congratulations AA. Please let those who don't buy into your program know about SMART Recovery. We certainly let folks know about AA. p.s. I'm a psychologist and I've helped people find a lasting sobriety both ways.

Posted by Paddycakes on 10 Nov 08 04:14 PM EST

AA is not the only way. I think it just works best for most. I once told a judge that I wasn't going to attend because of the God thing, the smoking, I was too young, and that I wasn't that bad. I didn't go and couldn't stay sober. Eventually, I decided that I needed to go since I tried all other approaches I knew. I've been sober over 23 years now and am very glad I went through that because I have no doubt that it is the only thing that works for me. I believe each has to find their own way. I also believe AA is the greatest thing that happened in the last century.

Posted by Rudy Pazdernik on 10 Nov 08 06:22 PM EST

If the idea of believing in God scares some people off, here is a suggestion: Several years ago, someone down in Texas came up with the idea of an atheist's prayer: "God if you really do exist, please help me!" Now,it doesn't take much faith to say that, but I know of several people who have been able to stay sober just that way. And surprisingly, most of them now have no problem believing in God.

Posted by Been there on 10 Nov 08 06:35 PM EST

Anyone that really has applied A.A. in their life knows it is not the only way. It's even written in the basic text titled Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A. has never touted that it is the "only" way. It has always lived and let live whether others espoused "the cure", or abstinence through medication or religious conversion or aversion to religion, AA does not get involved - EVER - in outside issues. But, it is AA that we are celebrating, so whether you're a confused rich heroin "user", or one these "SMART-asses" that must berate to be recognized, all AA was ever meant to accomplish was to keep one drunk sober by helping another do the same and it sure did that.

Posted by Tony S. on 10 Nov 08 09:11 PM EST

I have read these comments, and hear the same excuses for not getting sober in the rooms. There are no rules to recovery in AA other than trying your best not to be disruptive during meetings. In my ii years, I have seen people in the rooms drunk; but still trying to get it. No one can throw them out, no one can force you to do anything.It took me over a year before I started listening and trying to do what the sober alkys were doing. I didn't believe anything could replace alcohol in my life; but AA showed me a design for living that worked for me.A.A. is not the end-all and be-all of sobriety, but for thousands it was the way out of an insane and fatal lifestyle. Three things wait for an active alcoholic: Institutions, penetentiaries, and death. If your life is unmanageable, AA will show you the way.

Posted by Annabah on 10 Nov 08 09:42 PM EST

First, let me say thank you all for your comments and second congratulation to AA for all the help it has provided to those who have experienced and is experiencing difficulties with alcohol. The essence to becoming free of alcoholism, as well as any other addiction is belief. I’m not talking about a belief in a ‘God” of a ‘Higher Power’. The belief I’m talking about is the belief in a method or practice that will help one solve their problem. Those that have succeeded in finding their way out of the pain of addiction will attest that it was their belief in the ‘program’, whether the program was AA, ‘group therapy’, ‘individual counseling’. The National Institute on Drug Abuse clearly states that “NO SINGLE TREATMENT IS APPROPRIATE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS.” What works for one person may not work for another person. Whatever works to get a person from addiction to recovery and its maintenance is the best program for that person.

Posted by Kara Oliver on 11 Nov 08 01:40 AM EST

"One size does not fit all". AA is only one way to reach sobriety. It just happens to be a way that millions of people have been using since June 10, 1935. I was in and out of the rooms of AA for 15 years before I was ready and willing to hear the message. I believe we owe it to ourselves and others that may need help to research as many methods there are to aid in recovery. It really doesn't matter where the help comes from, as long as it comes. I work in the recovery field and I know AA doesn't work for everyone, yet it is a basic place to start. I've been sober in AA since November 7, 2000. I was first introduced to it in 1985. I had an issue with the "God" thing. I was one of those people who was mad at God. Thank goodness I don't have that issue anymore. Thank goodness I was able to get past it. Thank goodness I'm here to share with you and countless others. Thank goodness I am still honest, open-minded and willing.

Posted by Leslie Basden on 11 Nov 08 03:25 AM EST

I so appreciate the comments on this topic. So many believe AA/NA is the only way, which leaves some people feeling like there is no hope. I am truly buoyed by the thoughtful comments I have read on this topic today.

Posted by rocketman on 11 Nov 08 06:51 AM EST

Congrats to all those brothers and sisters and AA for making it the easier and softer way I searched for years.For years I suffered thinking AA was to simple to work.Contempt prior to investigation almost killed me.Hey Rich stop looking for the differences live and let live.Rocketman

Posted by Linda in Hinsdale, NH on 11 Nov 08 09:32 AM EST

Happy birthday, AA! I came to AA through the back door of Al-Anon in 1981. Thank God both programs were there, I honestly don't think I could have survived another year, and I was only 21 at the time. I went to 12 step meetings for almost a decade, tried every group out there just to make sure, and now I use my religion. It works for me, but let's not be confused, I still practice the 12 steps every day. It works if you work it. "Is there any remover of difficulties save God? Say: Praised be God, he is God. All are his Servants and all abide by his Bidding." -the Bab

Posted by CarlC. on 11 Nov 08 01:10 PM EST

From what i understand the AA concept began back in the mid 1800's and was refined to what we now see. But regardless, as a sober alcoholic and counselor I try to instill to my clients that as important as AA is, you still need a balance of spirituality to stay clean long term. Thanks to Bill W. and Dr. Bob for all they did!

Posted by Tom F on 11 Nov 08 05:17 PM EST

I don't know how you got November as A.A.'s birthday? Bill Wilson and Bob Smith met in May of 1935, Bob had his last drink on June 10th 1935. A.A. is a fellowship with a program of recovery. The program is about a person changing themselves and becomming spiritual. The book "Alcoholics Anoonymous", the Big Book, states that we achieve permamant abstinance based on the daily maintanence of our spiritual condition.

Posted by Dan Iser on 12 Nov 08 08:47 AM EST

To Carl C: The movement that existed in the mid 1800s was actually the "Washingtonians". Similar to what we now know as AA, it was a fellowship of recovering alcoholics. By the end of the 19th century they had thousands of members across the nation and operated treatment programs in Chicago and Boston. I'm sure that Dr. Bob and Bill W. were familiar with the group when they designed the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. These steps and traditions take into account many of the principles that spelled the demise of the Washingtonians. There is a brief mention of the Washingtonians in "As Bill Sees It".

Posted by Elizabeth on 03 Dec 08 11:56 AM EST

AA and NA are not at all the same. While some people do find sobriety in NA, NA does NOT use the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous as its basic text. Cocaine Anonymous uses the Big Book, and just celebrated 25 years. Cocaine Anonymous is not even just about cocaine as most know by now - it is about ALL mind altering substances. ALL. We have many members who never even used cocaine even once. I owe my life to the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, the 12 Steps, my sponsor, and my Higher Power. IF you are new to recovery, I hope you find what I have found here - I life filled with hope, faith and courage. www.ca.org

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