AA and abstinence as prevention techniques

Abstract

The idea of abstinence as a prevention technique against addiction is a non sequitur. The approach AA takes with confirmed alcoholics makes no sense for children, whose worlds – like adults’ – are strewn with too many potentially addictive involvements to make lifelong abstinence feasible as an answer to all situations for all times. Furthermore, purveying the need for abstinence communicates that various involvements are so fearsome that they can easily topple young people – taking control of their own decision-making out of their hands. Alternative approaches based on affirming young people's self-efficacy are presented.