The research I offered in the other thread:
guizot:AA isn’t going to “work” on anyone against their will. Instead of asking, “How many people don’t stay sober,” the research needs to ask, “How many people–everywhere–who have stayed sober attribute that to their involvement with AA?” But if you’re taking a sample only from people who have gone to AA, or only people who have relapsed, you can’t do that, so the conclusion you draw from that research is disingenuous.
George Vaillant:It seemed perfectly clear that . . . by inexorably moving patients from dependence upon the general hospital into the treatment system of AA, I was working for the most exciting alcohol program in the world. But then came the rub. Fueled by our enthusiasm, I and the director . . . tried to prove our efficacy. Our clinic followed up our first 100 detoxification patients. . . . [and found] compelling evidence that the results of our treatment were no better than the natural history of the disease.
CBT Recover on George Vaillant's findings:One interesting observation: a long-term study of over 4,500 subjects found that more treated alcoholics than untreated alcoholics had been abusing or dependent on alcohol within the previous year!