4 ms·

I think AA "accidentally" provides people with strong community support - a basic need, the lack of which often leads people to... well, drink. AA fulfills that

I think AA "accidentally" provides people with strong community support - a basic need, the lack of which often leads people to... well, drink. AA fulfills that need, and maybe the 12 steps themselves don't work, but the community does. That's why so many people swear by it and have success with it. So yes, it'll be a little culty, because those are the principles of this particular community, but I think it's far more valuable than say, a therapist, or trying to stop on your own. My main problem with it is that people I know in AA can't seem to live without it. They depend on it so much that they're terrified of not following the 12 steps, for fear of getting "excommunicated", or worse: going back to drinking.

musicale 3y ago
Unlike malicious cults, AA doesn't seem to be dedicated to exploiting its members for the benefit of cult leaders. I think you are on to something, which is that providing connection can help people to overcome addiction. (Or perhaps the reverse - that addiction can help people cope with a lack of connection.) If AA is the only source of connection, then I imagine losing it might very well result in relapse simply from losing the connection itself (not to mention the encouragement to remain sober.)
readthenotes1 4y ago
It is no accident, otherwise going to meetings wouldn't be an essential part of it