Charles Bufe

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is not only ineffective in helping people overcome alcohol problems, in some instances it actually makes their problems worse, Charles Bufe argues in the following viewpoint. He contends that the success rate for alcoholics in AA is no better—and could actually be worse—than that of alcoholics who get no treatment at all. Further, AA members are much more likely to revert to binge drinking than are alcoholics seeking other forms of treatment. Charles Bufe is the founder of See Sharp Press and the author of Alcoholics Anonymous: Cult or Cure, from which this viewpoint is excerpted.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What does the author argue is a noticeable feature of AA regarding membership"
2. How does AA define success in overcoming an alcohol problem, in Charles Bufe’s...