I’ve been told that if it wasn’t for the court system requiring mandatory AA attendance to people arrested for DUI or minor drug cases that AA would cease to exist. I know my county has what it calls a drug court program where everyone in the program is required to attend so many AA or NA meetings a week. Are courts keeping AA in business?
#1 by Colette B on February 6, 2010 - 2:16 am
No, it’s the alcoholics that keep AA in business. There are way too many of them.
#2 by daniel b on February 6, 2010 - 2:53 am
What colette said. Too many drunks. There is not cost to AA, and I think the counselors are volunteers.
My neighbor tells me he’s a drunk, not an alcoholic. He said alcoholics are people who feel bad about themselves. He doesn’t:)
#3 by GreenEarthMom on February 6, 2010 - 3:07 am
AA and NA are self supporting nonprofit organizations. They do not depend on the court system for members, because often the people who are sent to the Programs through the courts are not ready to admit they have a problem, but a seed is planted that recovery is possible. These people are not the ones who put some money in the basket when it is passed they are just there to get their paper signed. The money that is collected is used to pay rent on the meeting facility, buy coffee, literature, medallions and key tags. Whatever is leftover is sent on to a higher level to help with Recovery Programs on a larger scale. The sponsors are members just like anyone else, and do not receive any pay for the work they do it is just part of helping themselves by helping others. So, in answer to your question “No, the people the courts send are not keeping AA or NA in business — Addicts are keeping them in business.”
Peace.
#4 by raysny on February 6, 2010 - 3:55 am
Without a doubt.
Over 60% of new AA members are there due to mandates from courts, other government agencies, and employee assistance programs. (Grapevine, Nov. 2002)
Since mandated AA has been deemed a violation of the Establishment Clause in the Second and Seventh Federal District Courts (VT, NY, CT; IN, IL, WI), The NY State Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Tennessee, AA membership in the US is down.
95% of new members will be gone within one year (AA’s Triennial Survey), without a constant influx of new people (ones who cannot leave quickly) AA would shrink drastically.
Mandated AA is a violation not only of the Constitution, it is a violation of Eleventh Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous and most importantly, it doesn’t work. AA has a pitiful 5% success rate (the same as for those who attempt quitting on their own) and it not likely to be a help for people who are forced to attend. The reason that politicians like it is that they can appear to be tough on crime and at the same time compassionate.