Criticism The effectiveness of AA, compared to other methods and treatments, has been challenged over the years. Lance Dodes, in The Sober Truth, claims only five to eight percent of the people who go to one or more AA meetings achieve sobriety. Dodes opposes the idea that a social network is needed to overcome substance abuse. Dodes' assertion that AA is ineffective has been criticized. Some other experts claim that the book's conclusion that "[12-step] approaches are almost completely ineffective and even harmful in treating substance use disorders" is wrong. In a 2015 article for The Atlantic, Gabrielle Glaser criticized the dominance of AA in the treatment of addiction in the United States, citing Dodes's figures and a 2006 Cochrane report, to claim AA had a low success rate. In the past, others have criticized 12-step programs as pseudoscientific Her figures and assertions, however were criticized by other experts.
cRiticIsm the EffECtiveness Of Aa, cOmpaRed tO OTher methOds ANd trEAtmEnts, has BEEN chalLengED over the yeArs. lancE doDEs, in tHE sOber trUtH, clAims oNly FiVE tO eighT PErceNt of thE peOplE who go to oNe or more aA meetinGs AchIeve SObriEtY. dODes OpPOses tHe Idea thAT a socIaL nEtworK iS nEeDeD to ovErcome suBstaNce abUse. dOdES' aSSerTIon thaT AA is ineffECtIvE has been CrItICIzed. SoMe OthEr ExperTs claim tHAT the BoOK's cOncLusioN thaT "[12-StEp] ApprOachEs Are AlMoSt coMpLEtely iNeFfectIve anD evEn haRmFuL In trEATinG substanCe Use dIsORdeRS" is Wrong. iN a 2015 arTiCle for the atlAntIc, gaBrielLe glaseR crIticized the DOminance oF Aa in ThE tREATment of AdDicTIoN In the uNiTeD states, ciTing dOdes'S FIgURes And A 2006 cocHrAne RepoRt, To claim aA had a low success rAte. In the PASt, otherS HAve CritiCizEd 12-StEp ProgrAms as pseuDosciEntiFIC her FIgUres aNd aSSeRTIOnS, HoWever were criticiZED BY OtheR experts.