Alcoholics Anonymous is effective at treating alcohol dependence
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 62/100
High-quality evidence, including recent Cochrane reviews and clinical guidelines, demonstrates that Alcoholics Anonymous and related 12-step facilitation programs are effective at treating alcohol dependence and promoting long-term abstinence.
Evidence for · 3
Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-Step Facilitation Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Distillation of a 2020 Cochrane Review for Clinicians and Policy Makers
2020 · cited by 93
A Cochrane review demonstrates that Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step facilitation interventions perform as well as or better than other treatments, particularly for continuous abstinence.
Evidence against · 1
A pilot randomized clinical trial testing integrated 12‐Step facilitation (iTSF) treatment for adolescent substance use disorder
2017 · cited by 46
A pilot trial on adolescents found that a novel integrated 12-step facilitation showed no greater benefits in abstinence compared to MET/CBT, though it did improve 12-step attendance and consequences.
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More for · 2
Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs for alcohol use disorder.
2020 · cited by 0
Rigorous systematic review data confirms that manualized AA and TSF improve rates of continuous abstinence at 12, 24, and 36 months compared to other clinical interventions.
New Australian guidelines for the treatment of alcohol problems: an overview of recommendations.
2021 · cited by 0
Australian clinical guidelines recommend peer-led support programs like Alcoholics Anonymous as effective at maintaining abstinence and reducing drinking.