The Sober Truth

Debunking the Bad Science Behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry

By: Lance Dodes MD, Zachary Dodes

Narrated by: Stephen Bel Davies

AA has become so infused in our society that it is practically synonymous with addiction recovery. Yet the evidence shows that AA has only a 5-10 percent success rate - hardly better than no treatment at all. Despite this, doctors, employers, and judges regularly refer addicted people to treatment programs and rehab facilities based on the 12-step model.

In The Sober Truth, acclaimed addiction specialist Dr. Lance Dodes exposes the deeply flawed science that the 12-step industry has used to support its programs. Dr. Dodes analyzes dozens of studies to reveal a startling pattern of errors, misjudgments, and biases. He also pores over the research to highlight the best peer-reviewed studies available and discovers that they reach a grim consensus on the program's overall success.

But The Sober Truth is more than a book about addiction. It is also a book about science and how and why AA and rehab became so popular, despite the discouraging data. Dr. Dodes explores the entire story of AA's rise, from its origins in early fundamentalist religious and mystical beliefs to its present-day place of privilege in politics and media.

©2014 Lance Dodes and Zachary Dodes (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A searing critique of the rehab industry." -Psychotherapy Networker

A necessary read for those with genuine interest

After three years of success addressing personal addiction issues and intensive reading of most every source available, this book is at least within the top three most revealing of the problems and potential solutions to addiction.

enlightening

this book really tells it like it is.ive been a part of 12 step groups.the trouth is told between the covers here.the failure rate of AAis amazing as well as the truths told about the shaming in aa I'm a firm bereaved in recovery Dharma a budist approach to recovery a breath of fresh air self empowerment which is fround upon in AA.ugh

The Truth will set you free.

I’m four years sober and thriving despite my disagreement with most of the twelve steps. This is a much needed point of view that is backed by serious research and relevant questions. This book will help many people to recover not just from addiction, but from the damage that can be caused by the 12 step approach of recovery.

Insightful

I had not realized that AA was a religion but now I understand better the big business model.

The conclusions reached by the authors was seemingly counterintuitive to 12-step programs.

Because I’m involved in a 12-step program, I found the information compelling and not at all what I would have expected. Very interesting and surprising conclusion, based on facts.