AA requires complete abstinence from alcohol. Is that really the best method of recovery?

Question by guitarman: AA requires complete abstinence from alcohol. Is that really the best method of recovery?
AA requires complete abstinence. I know because I have been going to AA meetings for about three years now. But I have drastically cut down on my drinking. I refuse to completely abstain from alcohol. I might drink only once per week and when I drink it is in a social setting. I feel good about how much I have cut back on alcohol consumption. I am proud of how far I have come. I used to drink every day just to get really drunk. But for months, I have not been doing that. Do you think it is wise for me to leave AA if I don’t feel abstinence from alcohol is the only indicator of success? Although they don’t verbally say it, they do look down on members who have a drink every now and then. According to AA, an alcoholic in the program who even drinks once in a while is a failure. They think one drink can kill you. Literally, they think one drink will lead an alcoholic to drink himself to death. I simply think that is absolutely ridiculous. Sorry, I really have to be honest here.

Best answer:

Answer by Molly
It’s a personal thing, I think – some people CAN drink just a little, and some can’t touch it at all.

My father was in AA for 16 years, up til the day he died, and he always felt that they were kind of fanatical. He never bought into the “higher power” stuff and thought a lot of the people were a bit holier than thou and judgmental. BUT it really helped him and he made a lot of good friends through it as well.

So no, I don’t think you’re wrong, you just have to decide if the benefits outweigh the downside.

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