subject: Is Alcoholics Anonymous The Answer? [print this page] Whilst we are very much pro AA and Al-Anon and any other treatment - the fact is that there are high relapse rates with traditional treatment methods and many people simply cannot recover and remain sober this way. This means that people die every day. For those who manage to remain alcohol free for long periods, there is still a high possibility of relapse. Whilst the chances of this happening reduce over time, if eventually does happen it causes more suffering for the family and can in fact be one reason why family members themselves end up as ill and as compulsive as the drinker.
Once in recovery the view of most addiction experts and GP's is that to stand the best chance of sustain recovery involves attending AA meetings on a regular basis. Doubtless this can form a resource for fellowship and support in times of confusion and need. Whilst again we fully support and hugely admire the work that AA has done for so many it does not work for everyone and we have lost people we loved who just cannot recover that way.
The good news is there are new developments in the area of alcohol addiction and we were lucky enough to find a book written by Professor Olivier Ameisen about the fact he had cured himself from his own chronic anxiety and alcohol addiction by using Baclofen.
This drug - most commonly prescribed for MS - over a period of time removed his cravings for alcohol (which is the number one cause of relapse) making him apathetic to it. In addition, he also found that it cured him of his acute anxiety which had been the reason he had started to drink heavily in the first place.
Any advancement like this is hugely welcome as people die everyday from alcohol addiction and it is a fact that however wonderful AA and the 12 Steps are and have been there are high relapse percentages. Before embarking on taking this medication you must always ensure that you have sought medical advice first.
