Alcohol Self-Help Groups

Alcoholics Anonymous

The grand-daddy of the alcohol self-help groups is Alcoholics Anonymous.

It is the most studied of the self-help groups.

A significant, though modest, correlation has been reported between attending AA meetings and being abstinent.

An even stronger relationship between broader involvement with AA (e.g., working the steps, reading AA literature, having a sponsor, as well as going to meetings) and abstinence than just attending meetings appears to exist.

The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program of recovery is based on twelve steps to recovery that stress acceptance of drinking as a problem, willingness to accept responsibility for one's actions and at the same time to seek help. The goal is personal and interpersonal change that leads to a spiritual approach to life.

AA is widely available, free of charge, and requires a desire to stop drinking as the only "membership" requirement.

The spiritual approach and the group membership factors have been mentioned as important both by people who have gotten excellent personal results from AA and those who don't want anything to do with it.

Other Groups

Other alcohol self-help groups are less widely available or researched, but when you can find one in your area, they can provide alternatives for those who would like a self-help approach, but are unwilling to attend AA.

These include:

Women for Sobriety,

SMART Recovery,

Secular Organizations for Recovery/LifeRing,

Moderation Management,




Little research is appears to be available about the effectiveness of any of these organizations.

Which leaves it up to you to sort through whether a particular program appeals to you because it is most likely to work for you or, perhaps, because it is telling you what you want to hear. Not an easy thing to do, but it is your life after all.

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