The Sober Truth: Debunking the Bad Science Behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry
Lance Dodes · Zachary Dodes
Mar 2014 · Beacon Press
4.6star
7 reviewsreport
Ebook
192
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
reportRatings and reviews aren’t verified Learn More
About this ebook
A powerful exposé of 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous—and how this failed addiction treatment model came to dominate America.
“A humane, science-based, global view of addiction . . . an essential, bracing critique of the rehab industry.” —Gabor Maté M.D., author of In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts
Alcoholics Anonymous has become so infused in our society that it is practically synonymous with addiction recovery. Yet the evidence shows that AA has only a 5–10 percent success rate—hardly better than no treatment at all. Despite this, doctors, employers, and judges regularly refer addicted people to treatment programs and rehab facilities based on the 12-step model.
In The Sober Truth, acclaimed addiction specialist Dr. Lance Dodes exposes the deeply flawed science that the 12-step industry has used to support its programs. Dr. Dodes analyzes dozens of studies to reveal a startling pattern of errors, misjudgments, and biases. He also pores over the research to highlight the best peer-reviewed studies available and discovers that they reach a grim consensus on the program’s overall success.
But The Sober Truth is more than a book about addiction. It is also a book about science and how and why AA and rehab became so popular, despite the discouraging data. Drawing from thirty-five years of clinical practice and firsthand accounts submitted by addicts, Dr. Dodes explores the entire story of AA’s rise—from its origins in early fundamentalist religious and mystical beliefs to its present-day place of privilege in politics and media.
A powerful response to the monopoly of the 12-step program and the myth that they are a universal solution to addiction, The Sober Truth offers new and actionable information for addicts, their families, and medical providers, and lays out better ways to understand addiction for those seeking a more effective and compassionate approach to this treatable problem.
“A humane, science-based, global view of addiction . . . an essential, bracing critique of the rehab industry.” —Gabor Maté M.D., author of In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts
Alcoholics Anonymous has become so infused in our society that it is practically synonymous with addiction recovery. Yet the evidence shows that AA has only a 5–10 percent success rate—hardly better than no treatment at all. Despite this, doctors, employers, and judges regularly refer addicted people to treatment programs and rehab facilities based on the 12-step model.
In The Sober Truth, acclaimed addiction specialist Dr. Lance Dodes exposes the deeply flawed science that the 12-step industry has used to support its programs. Dr. Dodes analyzes dozens of studies to reveal a startling pattern of errors, misjudgments, and biases. He also pores over the research to highlight the best peer-reviewed studies available and discovers that they reach a grim consensus on the program’s overall success.
But The Sober Truth is more than a book about addiction. It is also a book about science and how and why AA and rehab became so popular, despite the discouraging data. Drawing from thirty-five years of clinical practice and firsthand accounts submitted by addicts, Dr. Dodes explores the entire story of AA’s rise—from its origins in early fundamentalist religious and mystical beliefs to its present-day place of privilege in politics and media.
A powerful response to the monopoly of the 12-step program and the myth that they are a universal solution to addiction, The Sober Truth offers new and actionable information for addicts, their families, and medical providers, and lays out better ways to understand addiction for those seeking a more effective and compassionate approach to this treatable problem.
Ratings and reviews
4.6
7 reviews
Adam Jaspersen
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
August 3, 2024
I read this book, oddly enough, during my last bout in treatment (my counselor actually ordered it for me!) and my only regret was that I didn't take notes. There's a LOT of information packed into this little book, much research and an attempt to collect statistics in a way rarely—if ever—done. Even if you have 10+ years sobriety and eat, sleep & poo the Big Book, I would challenge you to check this out and consider Dr. Dodes' position. God bless! 🫡🙏
Devin Watson
- Flag inappropriate
March 28, 2015
A good start to getting yourself on a more realistic path to recovery. It provided me with a much better base to work from than the slogans and truisms found elsewhere. Many thanks to the author for having the courage to take up this banner; how refreshing it must be for Dr. Dodes to pick up this month's Atlantic magazine and see the topic going mainstream (due to insurance companies demanding evidence to fund treatment for the affordable care act)
1 person found this review helpful
Lixa Gee
- Flag inappropriate
November 30, 2014
Reading this helped me to understand that I'm not alone in feeling that the 12 step method is useless for me. I have a strong desire to stay clean and sober but dozens (or a hundred) meetings did nothing to help me. (AA and NA). Thanks to the authors for this enlightening expose.
1 person found this review helpful
About the author
Lance Dodes, MD, has been treating people with addictions for more than three decades. He is the author of The Heart of Addiction and Breaking Addiction. He is a Training and Supervising analyst emeritus with the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and recently retired assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He lives in Southern California.
Zachary Dodes is a freelance writer based in Southern California. He earned a BA from Yale University and an MFA from the University of Southern California.
Zachary Dodes is a freelance writer based in Southern California. He earned a BA from Yale University and an MFA from the University of Southern California.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
