Physicians in Long-Term Recovery Who Are Members of Alcoholics Anonymous

Abstract

The study of long-term AA members can shed light on mechanisms of achieving abstinence in this fellowship.

Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous: The Role of Spiritual Orientation and AA Member Affiliation

“…Topics addressed included demographics, substance abuse history, general psychological and addiction treatment, and experience in and views of AA, which were adapted from previous studies of ours. 7 Depression experienced in the past week was assessed by a 6-item scale included in the Brief Symptom Inventory. 8 Craving for alcohol was assessed by responses on a 10-point visual analog scale, similar to ones applied in other studies on substance abusers in treatment.…”

Alcoholics anonymous and twelve‐step recovery: A model based on social and cognitive neuroscience

“…We found this to be the case in religious retreats, where a particular perspective is sustained by virtue of the predominance of believers in such group settings. Indeed, in our studies on Twelve‐Step meetings, we found that the overwhelming majority of participants in given meetings were long‐standing, committed members. Such predominance of membership effectively, if tacitly, precludes dissent by participants early in their involvement, and sustains singularity of message.…”

An initial fMRI study on neural correlates of prayer in members of Alcoholics Anonymous

“…3 x,y,z-MNI coordinates of the peak voxel. 4 k-cluster size in voxels. 5 Peak voxel -maximum t-test value at the peak voxel.…”

“…Step members who we have surveyed report no alcohol or drug craving; for AA, 70% reported no craving for alcohol (3,4), and for NA, 49% reported no craving for alcohol or drugs (2). This is notable, since people joining and persisting in attending these fellowship meetings are among the more severely addicted, having suffered from considerable craving for their principal substances of use.…”