The AA pioneers (the first people to use a twelve step approach) were consistently well educated middle class or upper class men (in 1930s, most people seemed not to be considering the possibility that women might be alcoholic). The two founders, known as Dr. Bob and Bill W, were both devoted members of the Oxford Group, as were a very large number of the others who came into AA in the first three or four years. This page is all about the question of whether twelve step approaches to addiction works out well in other demographics.

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Full Article Demographics Impacting Twelve Step Recovery

Additional discussion on this topic:

• Return to Twelve Step Resources
• Powerless     

Links to pages on this website related to this topic: 

• Go to Full Article on Twelve Step Resources  (Member/ Subscriber Access only)
• Substance Abuse and Addiction   (Introduction)
• Old format guidelines on addiction and substance abuse  (public access, still recommended reading)
• New Definition of Addiction (Old Format)  Some readers tell us they still find this helpful. The ASAM definition of addiction is more precise, but some readers say they understand that better after reading this Old Format entry.         
• See Related article on Twelve Step Alternatives
• See Related article on Christian Recovery
  • Twelve Step and Christian Recovery
  • Teen Challenge an example of Christian Recovery
  • Celebrate Recovery an example of Christian Recovery
• See Related article on The Destructive Battle over Recovery Methods
• See Related article on History of Differences over Treatment Resources
• See related article on The Seven Challenges
• See related article on Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Transtheoretical Model
• See related article on Harm Reduction Model
• See related article on Dr. Lance Dodes  (influential at Cedar Ridge Academy)   
• See related article on Process Addictions
• See related article on Interventions and Interventionists

Navigation helps (this website):

• Return to Topics of Interest -- under Meeting Special Needs
• Return to Issues of Concern -- under Virtual Consultant
• Return to Substance Abuse and Addiction (link page under Virtual Consultant)

Links to relevant information on other websites:

• ASAM Definition of Addiction
• Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous
• Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous
• Alcoholics Anonymous -- Official Website
• Alcoholics Anonymous -- Wikipedia Listing
• Frank Buchman -- Founder of Oxford Group
• Oxford Group -- Wikipedia
• Sam Shoemaker -- Wikipedia
• Twelve Steps and Traditions -- With explanation,  Official AA
• Twelve Steps (for people with no prior knowledge)  -- Wikipedia

Last Update May 8, 2018