Why We Don’t Recommend Attending AA or NA Meetings

NOTE: If you know anyone who may benefit from this letter, kindly forward it to them. Why We Don’t Recommend Attending AA or NA Meetings Dear Friends, If you ask just about anyone what you should do if you think you have a problem with alcohol or drugs, they will tell you to go to an AA or NA meeting. The group Alcoholics Anonymous which was founded in 1935 by a bankrupt stockbroker named Bill Wilson was the original 12-step program. It’s important to understand that there was no real help for heavy drinkers during that time period. Bill Wilson and early AA members saw an opportunity to provide their program when none existed, and they embarked on a massive marketing campaign that was so successful, the 12 step program is now the basis for addiction treatment programs around the world. They achieved this massive feat in spite of ever-mounting evidence that it is one of the least effective ways people stop their addictions, and in many cases it causes more harm than good. Consider the following research as cited on page 17 of The Freedom Model for Addictions: Escape the Treatment and Recovery Trap: “Research in which alcoholics were given a test to gauge how strongly they believed in several common tenets of addiction, such as “loss of control” or genetic predisposition to alcoholism, showed that those who believed most strongly in addiction were more likely to relapse following treatment. In fact, this belief system was one of the top predictors of relapse after controlling for dozens of other factors, including the severity of the drinking problem (Miller, Westerberg, Harris & Tonigan, 1996).” “Other research has shown that those exposed to these ideas formally in treatment subsequently had binge drinking rates nine times higher than those who were exposed to more choice-based views and a binge rated five times higher than those who received no treatment at all (Brandsma, 1980).” “Heroin users binge after treatment too, as was shown by a study of over 150,000 heroin addicts in England that overdose risk skyrocketed in the weeks immediately following the completion of treatment (Pierce, et.al., 2016).” Some people have criticized us for sounding the alarm bells about these findings and warning people that 12 step programs can hurt their chances of resolving their problem. They’ve accused us of bashing AA and called us AA haters, without taking the time to get all of the information. In the article below, The Freedom Model Team answers those critics. [Read Now]( Our primary goal at The Freedom Model is to help heavy substance users to find a solution to their substance use problems so they can move on with their lives in total freedom. If you are struggling, please call me at [1-888-424-2626](tel:888-424-2626), and we can discuss your specific situation and how The Freedom Model can help you. Sincerely, Danny Wike Director of Freedom Model Private Instruction [888-424-2626](tel:888-424-2626) [Escape The Treatment Trap Now]( Call [888-424-2626](tel:888-424-2626) to talk with us. No longer want to receive these emails? [Unsubscribe]( . The Freedom Model | 9 Market Street - Suite #4 - Amsterdam, NY 12010 ‌