ARGUING YES
Expert on Alcoholics Anonymous; Author of “A Man’s Way Through the Twelve Steps”
ARGUING NO
Founder of IGNTD; Author of “The Abstinence Myth”
GUEST MODERATOR
Journalist and Co-Host of the Semafor Podcast “Mixed Signals”
This week:
- New episode: Is AA the best way to get sober?
- A closer look at how much alcohol is consumed every year
It’s a popular campaign. Last year, a quarter of all Americans participated in Dry January, where one voluntarily abstains from alcohol for the entire month.
One outcome of Dry January for many — quitting alcohol entirely —is at the heart of this week’s debate where we discuss the group Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which promotes a recovery process based on personal accountability, spiritual growth, and abstinence from alcohol while following the 12-step path.
But with 28.9 million people suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder in the past year, what are the pros and cons of different pathways for support? Supporters of Alcoholics Anonymous point to the millions of people worldwide who say AA saved their lives and credit its peer-driven, community-based approach. Those who think there might be better ways than the zero-sum approach of AA say it doesn’t work for everyone and that addiction often can require clinical interventions, such as therapy and medication.
Two experts on alcohol addiction and recovery debate whether AA works this week. Arguing “yes” is Dan Griffin, a speaker and author of “A Man’s Way Through the 12 Steps.” Arguing “no” is Adi Jaffe, the founder of the IGNTD recovery program and the author of the forthcoming book “Unhooked: Freeing Yourself From Addiction Forever.” Nayeema Raza, journalist and co-host of the Semafor Podcast “Mixed Signals”, guest moderates.
Does AA work? Listen to the debate now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. As always, let us know what you think.
DEBATING THE DATA
What treatment could help limit — or lower — the rate of alcohol intake?
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Does AA Work?
YES: Dan Griffin
“So what does it mean for AA to work? Is it true that three percent to five percent of those who attend AA stay and get sober? Possibly. How do you measure the impact of a chronic alcoholic on our society? Medical emergencies, job productivity, criminal activity, violence, impact on children and other family members, to name only some. What is the impact on our society when all of those things go away for just one person? Not to mention all of the pluses that occur as a result of their sobriety: Families restored, loving relationships with kids, productivity, giving back to the community.”
NO: Adi Jaffe
“…One of the main reasons we should say AA does not work is when you look at all the people who enter AA, the vast majority of them are not helped by it. We’ve also identified that there’s at least a good amount of evidence that says that people can actually be harmed by it. And, you know, last but not least, the idea that AA itself doesn’t really mean all that much, because it’s being applied in so many different ways. What people need when they struggle with something like addiction is certainty. They need reliability. And as it stands right now, AA doesn’t offer that.”
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