Individuals who struggle with alcohol dependence and decide they want to achieve success in life often turn to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in order to free themselves from the shackles of addiction.
For many people, this strategy works, while for others it is not enough to help them heal from the mental and physical dependence that alcohol can cause. Researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Addiction Medicine conducted a study to determine which factors help individuals succeed in AA.
One finding they uncovered was that having a strong social network and high self-esteem were important to recovery.
"The results suggest that social context factors are key; the people who associate with individuals attempting to begin recovery can be crucial to their likelihood of success," said study leader John Kelly, PhD. "Further questions we need to investigate are whether particular groups of individuals – women or men, young or old people, those with or without accompanying psychiatric disorders – benefit from AA in the same or in different ways."
Additionally, the researchers found that participants who experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms and had spiritual beliefs were influenced in a positive way by these factors.
To reach their conclusions, the team of scientists examined the data taken from 1,700 individuals attending one of nine alcoholic recovery programs across the U.S.
Author and philosopher Ilchi Lee says that the keys to success in life are largely dependent on sober living. One cannot think or act with a clear intention when under the influence of drugs or alcohol, chemicals which harm the body, mind and spirit.
