last response - busy busy
Sorry if anyone thought my comments were fractious. My point was to explain just how difficult it would be to do a statistical analysis of the program effectiveness as measured by the web. For those of you who are not aware of how this type of research is done, let me tell you it costs TONS of money. Statisticians usually bill out at more than 150 an hour. To undertake something like that would cost thousands and thousands of dollars. It takes lots of time to create definitions - for instance, what is successful. How does one create the gradients for success? Again, more time - careful thought and money. Generally, people don't just "DO" a study - they do it for a reason. They want their doctorate, another publication, or someone is willing to pay them a lot of money. I am wondering who is supposed to come in and do this just cause they feel like it?
An interesting finding. In looking at the member list I counted out the first 90 members and then counted their posts. 65 of them (72%) have less then 3 postings, with 45 (50%) never posting at all. If that pattern continued, then it would be reasonable to assume that MOST individuals who join do not participate in the program and leave, which would not constitute failure of the program. Fifty percent never post. So, using the figure of 1000 as the bank of individuals who have fully implemented the program, found it sucked, and left is totally invalid. Many do just blow through ... and move on to something else.
I have no issues with anyone who has found that AA works for them. That is great and I am very happy for their success. I, too, am uncomfortable with their lack of incorporating current science and adhering to the same model as in decades past. The founder, Bill W ?, found that niacinimide was very helpful and I think tried to get the early group to include that as a help to members. He was ignored. The model was set and not to change. I do know that I have felt very stifled at AA meetings - I don't like being therapized by amateurs.Indeed, I was paying beaucoup dollars to a therapist twice a week to help me not hate myself and then going to AA to find out about all my personality defects. Guess which one helped!
Peace to all,
Pansy
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