Benefits of Alcoholics Anonymous Attendance

Abstract

This study compared findings on the benefits associated with AA attendance across eleven clinical sites in Project MATCH. The largest benefit associated with AA attendance was increased abstinence, followed by reductions in alcohol-related consequences. The magnitude of these benefits did not differ between sites. A positive association was also found between AA attendance and increased purpose in life, but the size of this relationship was very small and was statistically significant only after controlling for measurement error. Several explanations are offered to reconcile findings in this study with earlier work concluding that: (1) treatment setting moderated subsequent AA benefit, and (2) AA attendance was associated with psychosocial improvement.

Key Words:

• AA
• attendance
• benefits
• project MATCH