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  - Does Alcoholics Anonymous…
    
    Dry January has become increasingly popular, practiced by a quarter of Americans last year, and provides individuals a collegial and open path for reconsidering their alcohol consumption. For almost two million people worldwide who have committed to staying sober for a lifetime, the group known as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its 12-step plan has been a prominent lifeline. But is it the best approach for curbing alcoholism, and does it address its root causes? Those who say AA is invaluable emphasize the merits of its peer-driven, community-based approach. They also point out that membership is free, only requiring a desire to stop drinking. Opportunities for fellowship can be found nearly anywhere, even in communities with limited access to healthcare or treatment facilities. Those who say there might be a better way to sobriety argue that AA’s long-term success rates vary widely. They also note equity issues and note concerns with the program’s focus on abstinence rather than moderation. They say other therapies and interventions, such as harm reduction therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, would help those who may not succeed in the program. Now with this background and in Dry January 2025, we debate the question: Does AA Work?
    
    Friday, January 3, 2025
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Eric Schurenberg

Business Journalist and Media Executive; Founder of the Alliance for Trust in Media

Eric Schurenberg is a business journalist and media executive, who was most recently the CEO of Mansueto Ventures, home to Inc. and Fast Company, and hosts the “In Reality” podcast with Joan Donovan of Harvard’s Shorenstein Center. He is dedicated to the fight against misinformation and disinformation and restoring trust in professional journalism through the Alliance for Trust in Media, a non-profit organization devoted to building a relationship of trust and recognition between journalists and their audiences. Schurenberg is on the board of the book publisher Amplify Publishing Group, where he is also editor-in-chief, a strategic adviser to the Leadership and Society Initiative at the University of Chicago, and a senior fellow for small business advancement at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He was a regular commentator on Nightly Business Report on PBS and Marketplace Radio on NPR, as well as a frequent guest on CNBC, CNN, Today, and Good Morning America.

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