US of AA

How the Twelve Steps Hijacked the Science of Alcoholism

By: Joe Miller

Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins

In US of AA, Miller shares the never-before-told story of how in the aftermath of prohibition America's top scientists helped launch a movement that would give rise to a multi-million-dollar treatment industry and a new government agency devoted to alcoholism that has made available millions of dollars for research. Despite the fact that this research showed that alcoholism is a complex disease requiring an array of treatment strategies, among which Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the least effective, money continued to flow to treatment facilities using approaches similar to AA. Five years in the making, his brilliant, in-depth investigative reporting into the history, politics, and science of alcoholism will show how AA became our nation's de facto treatment policy, even as evidence for more effective remedies accumulated.

US of AA is a character-driven, beautifully written exposé, full of secrecy, irony, liquor industry money, the shrillest of scare tactics and, at its center, a grand deception. In the tradition of Crazy by Pete Earley, and David Goldhill's Catastrophic Care, US of AA shines a much-needed spotlight on the addiction treatment industry. It will forever change the way we think about the entire enterprise.

©2019 Joe Miller (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Good Info but Can't Help Spinning It

Nice info on AA history and involvement with government and scientific approaches to alcoholism. The author couldn't avoid putting some spin on AA and its members by interpreting motivations and putting personal interpretations on "The Big Book". However, he overall provides valuable information and perspective on the need for quality science-based work and advances in the field of addiction, free from AA bias and influence.

It is crazy how AA came to power

And how the 12 steppers will attack any and everything that goes against the cult. They take pride in denying science and even common sense. I’m so glad others can see it for what it is and will go on to incorporate science, and trained professionals into their recovery.

It is time for AA to go away.

Very good read and echoes much of what I saw and experienced in treatment for an addiction to benzos. I never adopted the disease model and was stunned, in the midst of Xanax withdrawal, thinking THIS is my medicine. While treatment got me sober, AA was insufferable. Those who say it is not a religious organization are not being honest with themselves. A menace to sobriety, the AA way of curing addiction is a miserable failure with great potential to do harm.

AA not the only way!!

Excellent history of AA and exposes why we need more! Joe Miller, we have our next Ms. Mann, her name is Annie Grace author of This Naked Mind!! I suggest you and anyone interested in learning more about cutting back or quitting drinking look into her and TNM!!

Helpful context for alcohol and drug treatment

Miller provides a well-researched analysis of the history of Alcoholics Anonymous and its influence on treatment policy and options in the US.

Public health advocates, addiction recovery professionals and policy makers could all benefit from a better understanding of this complex history.