Marshall Poe

New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery

Marshall Poe

  • Joe Miller, "US of AA: How the Twelve Steps Hijacked the Science of Alcoholism" (Chicago Review Press, 2019)

Joe Miller, "US of AA: How the Twelve Steps Hijacked the Science of Alcoholism" (Chicago Review Press, 2019)

Tuesday 7th January 2020

Joe Miller reveals how Alcoholics Anonymous shaped alcoholism treatment in America, discussing its history and controversies. Listen now!
51 minutes
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New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery
Author:
Marshall Poe
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Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
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Family Recovery from Addiction
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US of AA: Unpacking the Influence of Alcoholics Anonymous on Modern Alcoholism Treatment

And then from the local level up to the state governments, to the federal level, to the point where we had federal legislation unanimously passed in The Late 60s that created The National Institute of- I always get the acronym a little bit mixed up- it's either alcohol and alcohol abuse, or the other way around, niaa.
Ever wondered how Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) became synonymous with alcoholism treatment in the United States? This episode of 'New Books in Drugs, Addiction and Recovery' dives deep into this intriguing history. Host Marshall Poe chats with author Joe Miller about his eye-opening book, 'US of AA: How the Twelve Steps Hijacked the Science of Alcoholism'.
Miller takes us on a journey through the aftermath of Prohibition, where top scientists and AA members joined forces to reshape the nation's understanding of alcoholism. They worked tirelessly to shift the narrative from moral failing to disease, paving the way for a multimillion-dollar treatment industry centered around AA and its Twelve Steps. But it’s not all praise; Miller also sheds light on the controversies surrounding AA's spiritual approach and its limitations as a one-size-fits-all solution.
He questions whether AA's dominance has overshadowed more comprehensive, evidence-based treatments. If you're curious about the roots of alcoholism treatment or the cultural impact of AA, this episode is a must-listen. It’s a fascinating look at how a grassroots movement influenced public perception and treatment methods for decades.