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AA Folklore Confirmed

A recent Brown University Medical School study confirmed the long-held belief that recovering alcoholics who help other alcoholics are better able to stay sober themselves.

Alcoholics Anonymous is the largest mutual help organization for alcoholics in the world. Yet little research has been done on its specific mechanisms that enable behavior change. This study, involving 1726 patients, showed that those who were sponsoring others or otherwise doing 12 Step work were more successful at not taking the first drink during the year following treatment. The researchers found no demographic differences in regard to helping others except age. Those who were helping other alcoholics were, on the average, 3 years older than those who were not. The ability to help others was not impacted by educational level, gender, race, socioeconomic status, or severity of past drinking behavior. Those who were helping were significantly more likely to stay sober than those who didn’t, independent of the number of meetings attended. The findings support the AA literature that encourages newcomers in recovery to get involved in helping others. The research warrants further study to determine which other elements of AA participation contribute to positive alcohol use outcomes several years after treatment.

(Pagano, ME, Friend, KB, Tonigan, JS, Stout, RL: Helping other alcoholics in Alcoholics Anonymous and drinking outcomes: Findings from Project MATCH: Journal of Studies On Alcohol 65:766-773, 2004)

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