A research study is proposed that will assess the future viability of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) approach to the treatment of substance abuse generally and the abuse of alcohol more specifically. Substance abuse, of which the abuse of alcohol is the most pervasive form in the United States, is a problem with which American society at all levels is attempting to control. AA is an organization whose program is closely associated in the public mind as an effective approach to the treatment of alcohol abuse. Thus, developments in biological and psychological research that reflect on the usefulness of a well accepted therapeutic approach to the treatment of alcohol abuse must be introduced into the public's awareness in such a way that public confidence in substance abuse treatment programs is not undermined. The proposed research study will develop information that will be valuable in such an effort through an assessment of the future viability of the AA approach to the treatment of alcohol abuse within the context of advances in the theoretical and conceptual understanding of addiction and substance abuse.
In this section, the problem to be investigated and study purpose is presented. Definitions of terms relevant to the proposed study, and limitations related to the proposed research methodology also are addressed in this section.
The abuse of alcohol is a significant social problem in American society. Perhaps the most well known program for dealing with the problem of alcoholism in American society is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The effectiveness of the AA treatment approach, however, is controversial. Further, advances in the understanding of the theoretical and conceptual nature of addiction generally and substance abuse more specifically, including the abuse of alcohol, threatens to shift the treatment perspective away from psychologically-based programs such as AA.
Some proponents of the AA approach to the tre...