The effect of Alcoholics Anonymous on abstinence duration in alcohol dependence: an example from Turkey

Objective: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a civil organization that play a role in the treatment of alcohol misusers worldwide for nearly 100 years. Many studies in the literature regarding AA have shown its significant positive contribution to abstinence. There is no study in Turkey about the effectiveness of AA. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of anonymous alcoholics on the abstinence duration of alcohol addicts. Methods: The study included 47 patients who attended AA and 43 patients who did not. The alcohol addicts attending AA consisted of volunteers in open meeting of AA. Whereas the patients who did not attended AA consisted of those with the diagnosis of alcohol addiction who presented to Bursa Public Hospital Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Center (ADATC). Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of total duration of alcohol misuse (p>0.05). The yearly number of presentations was significantly higher among the patients who attended AA and there was a statistically significant positive correlation between duration of healing and duration of attendance to AA (p<0.01). Abstinence durations were higher by approximately 8 folds in alcohol misusers who attended AA compared to the group, which never attended AA, and only received treatment in detoxification centers. Conclusion: It has been proven in the world literature that alcoholics anonymous is highly effective in very long abstinence duration of alcohol misusers. The same result applies for AA practice in Turkey, for the first time. As healthcare professionals, we should be involved AA and adopt this group, internalize and support them and should receive their support both in our clinics and when establishing our health policies.