Psychology Today

Twenty years after onset of alcohol dependence, three-quarters of alcoholics are in full recovery. . . .more than half of those who have fully recovered drink at low-risk levels without symptoms of alcohol dependence. . . .only 13 percent of people with alcohol dependence receive specialty alcohol treatment (AA, rehab).

“Yes, there is that drop off because alcohol and drug abusers die in such droves.”

In other words, according to this vision of the world, 7 percent of all 18- to 25-year-old Americans die annually of alcohol and drug abuse, since the prevalence of drug/alcohol abuse/dependence drops by 7 percent for the late 20s age group. Do you believe that? Because if you do, you are psychotic.

It’s taken years but there is a backlash finally growing against this ideology/religion that has held captive even large parts of the psychological community. We’ve long known that really rich people who seek treatment in North America will almost never be subjected to the AA model – but the enormous weight of the AA lobby efforts in North America are hardly slacking for the rest and so few have been willing to stand up and admit it is based on fiction and just does not work.

That’s finally starting to change – though it is unfortunate that those who are finally speaking have had to get to this level of rage and name-calling to do so…