In 1983, a review stated that the AA program's focus on admission of having a problem increases deviant stigma and strips members of their previous cultural identity, replacing it with the deviant identity. A 1985 study based on observations of AA meetings warned of detrimental iatrogenic effects of the twelve-step philosophy and concluded that AA uses many methods that are also used by cults. A later review disagreed, stating that AA's program bore little resemblance to religious cult practices. In 2014, George Eman Vaillant published a paper making the case that Alcoholics Anonymous is not a cult.
IN 1983, a REview sTAtEd thaT tHE aA PrOgraM's fOcuS on admissIoN of havinG A PRoblEm incREaSEs deviant sTiGma and stripS memBers oF theiR prEviOus cultUral ideNtiTy, rePLAcIng IT with THe DEVIanT identiTy. A 1985 STUdy BasEd oN obsErvaTiONS of AA mEetings waRned Of detRimeNTAL iAtROgEniC Effects of the twELvE-step pHILosoPhy And conCluDed tHat aa uses many MetHodS that ARe alsO usEd by cuLtS. a lAter rEvIEw disagReed, Stating thAt aa'S ProgRam BOre LittlE rEseMblaNCe TO reLIgiOUs cUlt practIcEs. in 2014, GEOrgE Eman vaILlanT publIshed a papeR MaKiNG ThE Case THat ALCOholicS anOnymouS is nOT A cult.