Has anyone in this room read the article from The Atlantic, 4/15 bout AA?

[irisblue]

http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/03/the-irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/
it is available online, and as of this early pm, there are 7100 responses. I saw a brief piece of Chris Hayes on MSNBC discussing the article with Gabriel Glaser & Marianne Williamson. I do not know if that interview is still available, adobe flash hates me today.

[Downwinder]

1. Had no difficulty following your link.

[charin]

2. Yes

I saw the Chris Hayes segment and read the article. For those with "mild or moderate alcohol-use disorder" less intense methods may get results. AA is not for everyone. I, however, am a real alcoholic.

I disagree about the AA success rate. Best paper I've read on the efficacy of AA-

http://hindsfoot.org/recout01.pdf

Basically, what Bill W. said decades ago still holds up. 3 or 4 out of 5 who initially come to a meeting don't stick. Maybe they come back later. Of those who stay and really try, about half achieve long term sobriety from the start. Another quarter make it after a slip or few.

[Conch]

3. Yes.

Because of it I am on Naltrexone. According to the article and my doctor it has about an 80% success rate. I felt it the first evening I tried it... the feeling of getting drunk.... more accurately the manic/frantic need to have a nearly full drink in my hands at all times was gone then later diminished and I was/am able to drink.

That was 8-ish months ago and my drinking is still reduced but I still drink a good deal, it began increasing after two months on the drug, and feel that it may no longer be serving a purpose That said, until I reach the level of consumption I had before using it I hope that it is working.

[madville]

4. I hope it works for you

and gets you to the place you want to be.

Speaking only for myself, I know I can never drink in moderation. I didn't quit and really dive into working on it until I REALLY wanted to quit. In all my previous failed attempts I wasn't at a point where I wanted to stop, I knew I should stop, my body was telling me to stop, my ex's were telling me to stop, my family was telling me to stop, heavy drinking friends were telling me to stop, work was telling me to stop, etc, etc but none of that really mattered or was enough reason to quit.