This article discusses a study published by the Stanford School of Medicine on the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program. Its findings supported the effectiveness of AA. The study, titled Alcoholics Anonymous most effective path to alcohol abstinence, reported that Alcoholics Anonymous was, indeed, “the most effective path to abstinence.” The study noted that the fellowship found in AA was “nearly always found to be more effective than psychotherapy in achieving abstinence.” (Click here for the study)

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Review published the review and concluded by saying: “The evidence suggests that compared to other well‐established treatments, clinical linkage using well‐articulated Twelve‐Step Facilitation (TSF) manualized interventions intended to increase Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) participation during and following alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment probably will lead to enhanced abstinence outcomes over the next few months and for up to three years.”

In March 2020, Stanford Medicine News Center released a report addressing that question. A Stanford researcher and two collaborators conducted an extensive review of AA studies. Their findings stated that the AA fellowship helps more people achieve sobriety than therapy does.