View Poll Results: Why do 19 out of 20 people in recovery fail?
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 89. You may not vote on this poll
Recovery Failure Opinion Poll
Laozi Old Man
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Recovery Failure Opinion Poll
Something like 19 out every 20 people in recovery fail to stay sober (more or less). That is not just one organizations results. That seems to be the case across all recovery programs. What in your opinion is the leading cause of these failures (you can pick more than 1)?
1. People think recovery is a one-and-done deal.
2. People just want to recuperate their losses, then return to drinking.
3. People underestimate the severity of their addiction.
4. People receive bad advice/mixed messages that cloud the issue.
1. People think recovery is a one-and-done deal.
2. People just want to recuperate their losses, then return to drinking.
3. People underestimate the severity of their addiction.
4. People receive bad advice/mixed messages that cloud the issue.
Laozi Old Man
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
I used to collect stats like that. After looking at a couple of dozen of them, the average was in the 3 -8% success range. It got too depressing for me look at any more. Sorry but I didn't save them. There have been many postings here at SR that support that figure but none that I know of in the recent weeks.
A recent Google search turned up:
"In 1998, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration funded a study about rates of recovery for different drugs. The two drugs where relapse rates were extremely high were alcohol and heroin--86 percent and over 90 percent respectively."
Drug Addiction Recovery Rates | eHow.com
A recent Google search turned up:
"In 1998, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration funded a study about rates of recovery for different drugs. The two drugs where relapse rates were extremely high were alcohol and heroin--86 percent and over 90 percent respectively."
Drug Addiction Recovery Rates | eHow.com
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 20,458
the stats are 15 years old, there are many different treatment options available now.
I think that if you are going to throw figures out there like "19 out of 20", you need proof positive to back up your statement. (JMHO)
I think that if you are going to throw figures out there like "19 out of 20", you need proof positive to back up your statement. (JMHO)
Laozi Old Man
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Detroit, MI
Posts: 6,665
Originally Posted by Fandy 
the stats are 15 years old, there are many different treatment options available now.
I think that if you are going to throw figures out there like "19 out of 20", you need proof positive to back up your statement. (JMHO)
I think that if you are going to throw figures out there like "19 out of 20", you need proof positive to back up your statement. (JMHO)
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 929
Even current, long term ( 16 year follow up) study shows a very high relapse rate.
Rates and predictors of relapse after natural and treated remission from alcohol use disorders
Published 2006.
Rates and predictors of relapse after natural and treated remission from alcohol use disorders
Published 2006.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
Why do 19 out of 20 people fail to stay sober? I guess it's because they drank alcohol.
Beyond that...
1. learned helplessness
2. lack of education/understanding of addiction
3. fear
4. doubt
It goes without saying of course, as always, that this is my not so humble opinion.
Beyond that...
1. learned helplessness
2. lack of education/understanding of addiction
3. fear
4. doubt
It goes without saying of course, as always, that this is my not so humble opinion.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 20,458
it's not "quibbling" it's an inaccurate statement you made asking people to vote based on the unsubstantiated data you posted. (19 out of 20 something like). If you are going to post figures, you need to show where you rec'd the information.
I do think Xune provided an answer though, thanks for that. NIH statistics and a published abstract from 2006.
SR must be a role model with recovery.
I do think Xune provided an answer though, thanks for that. NIH statistics and a published abstract from 2006.
SR must be a role model with recovery.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 583
My best guess being around the program is 7% stay clean and sober once they get sober. Of that 93%, some go back out once or twice then stay clean for life. No % for that. For me it doesn't say 93% are doomed but relapse early or later on. Length of that relapse can vary.
That is JMO with no stats and an observation.
AG
That is JMO with no stats and an observation.
AG
Self recovered Self discovered
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 5,148
Thanks, Xune, I am one of those who actually read and source reference material just like that stuff right there..
Here is one of the findings:
Believing in your own ability to succeed is important for your success at sobriety, program or not.
Here is one of the findings:
Among individuals who were remitted at 3 years, those who consumed more alcohol, and had less self-efficacy were more likely to relapse by 16 years. These findings held for individuals who initially obtained help and for those who did not.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 5,229
I quit smoking a few times in my day and whenever i restarted it was because well its fun to smoke rarara and i forgot all the bad side effects / reasons i quit to begin with then once the nicotine had its claws in me again which didnt take long i was hooked again and back in the misery and i'd have to fight to give it up again.
Lucky for me I havent failed at remaining sober but I think if i wherre too it would be because I'd have forgotten the degree of pain it caused me to drink all the time. So reading here or going to AA etc.. helps keep some of that memory fresh in my head and helps keep me on the straight and narrow.
I'd like to forget the horrors but i'm afraid if i forgot them i'd get stupid and pick up again.
Lucky for me I havent failed at remaining sober but I think if i wherre too it would be because I'd have forgotten the degree of pain it caused me to drink all the time. So reading here or going to AA etc.. helps keep some of that memory fresh in my head and helps keep me on the straight and narrow.
I'd like to forget the horrors but i'm afraid if i forgot them i'd get stupid and pick up again.
Recovered Alcoholic And Heroin
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 24
Alcoholics Anonymous - Forward to the 2nd
While the internal difficulties of our adolescent period
were being ironed out, public acceptance of A.A. grew by
leaps and bounds. For this there were two principal
reasons: the large numbers of recoveries, and reunited
homes. These made their impressions everywhere. Of
alcoholics who came to A.A. and really tried, 50% got sober
at once and remained that way; 25% sobered up after some
relapses, and among the remainder, those who stayed on
with A.A. showed improvement. Other thousands came to
a few A.A. meetings and at first decided they didn’t want
the program. But great numbers of these—about two out
of three—began to return as time passed.
My homegroups recovery rates are like somewere in the 80%
Most groups that go through the book have recovery rates above 75%
While the internal difficulties of our adolescent period
were being ironed out, public acceptance of A.A. grew by
leaps and bounds. For this there were two principal
reasons: the large numbers of recoveries, and reunited
homes. These made their impressions everywhere. Of
alcoholics who came to A.A. and really tried, 50% got sober
at once and remained that way; 25% sobered up after some
relapses, and among the remainder, those who stayed on
with A.A. showed improvement. Other thousands came to
a few A.A. meetings and at first decided they didn’t want
the program. But great numbers of these—about two out
of three—began to return as time passed.
My homegroups recovery rates are like somewere in the 80%
Most groups that go through the book have recovery rates above 75%
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 929
Originally Posted by ThankGodForAA
Alcoholics Anonymous - Forward to the 2nd
While the internal difficulties of our adolescent period
were being ironed out, public acceptance of A.A. grew by
leaps and bounds. For this there were two principal
reasons: the large numbers of recoveries, and reunited
homes. These made their impressions everywhere. Of
alcoholics who came to A.A. and really tried, 50% got sober
at once and remained that way; 25% sobered up after some
relapses, and among the remainder, those who stayed on
with A.A. showed improvement. Other thousands came to
a few A.A. meetings and at first decided they didn’t want
the program. But great numbers of these—about two out
of three—began to return as time passed.
My homegroups recovery rates are like somewere in the 80%
Most groups that go through the book have recovery rates above 75%
While the internal difficulties of our adolescent period
were being ironed out, public acceptance of A.A. grew by
leaps and bounds. For this there were two principal
reasons: the large numbers of recoveries, and reunited
homes. These made their impressions everywhere. Of
alcoholics who came to A.A. and really tried, 50% got sober
at once and remained that way; 25% sobered up after some
relapses, and among the remainder, those who stayed on
with A.A. showed improvement. Other thousands came to
a few A.A. meetings and at first decided they didn’t want
the program. But great numbers of these—about two out
of three—began to return as time passed.
My homegroups recovery rates are like somewere in the 80%
Most groups that go through the book have recovery rates above 75%
I'd like to see a link for the peer reviewed and published study that supports such incredibly high remission rates.
Thanks
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chicago Burbs- Illinois
Posts: 202
I have really been wondering about all these stats lately as I have already met a lot of people with a lot of sober time. I met a guy last night with 21 years sober, one had 6, one 8, several people were just over 1 year.
When I first went to AA, keeping that 5 percent success rate number in the back of my mind, I expected to see a bunch of drunks like me bitching about how they can't quit. Instead the vast majority of them were measuring their sobriety in years not days.
With that being said many of them did have stories of relapses before ultimately getting it but I sure would hope that isn't counted as a "failure". Blowing your life up with booze, quitting for a month here month there then getting it and being sober for 3 years is hardly a failure although a statistician likely calls it that.
Basically just saying these 5 percent stats seem very odd compared to what I've seen over the past few weeks.
When I first went to AA, keeping that 5 percent success rate number in the back of my mind, I expected to see a bunch of drunks like me bitching about how they can't quit. Instead the vast majority of them were measuring their sobriety in years not days.
With that being said many of them did have stories of relapses before ultimately getting it but I sure would hope that isn't counted as a "failure". Blowing your life up with booze, quitting for a month here month there then getting it and being sober for 3 years is hardly a failure although a statistician likely calls it that.
Basically just saying these 5 percent stats seem very odd compared to what I've seen over the past few weeks.
A Day at a Time
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Grand Rapids MI
Posts: 6,435
I have been to a lot of meetings and I can say far more fail than succeed. I was in AA for 1.5 years before I ever saw a newbie make it to their second meeting. There are a bazillion reasons why that just are not worth going into. AA works very well for those few individuals who are willing to dedicate themselves program.
Recovered Alcoholic And Heroin
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 24
First of all AA is an Anonymous Program, so there would not be any professional surveys done.
Now heres my expeirence, for people who want and need this program, and work it, THAT DOES NOT MEAN GOING TO MEETINGS AND SHARING AND COFFEE COMMITMENTS.
THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY GO THROUGH THE STEPS, HELP OTHERS, AND REMAIN GOD CENTERED WILL NOT USE DRUGS OR ALCOHOL!
Thats a promise.
Look for a meeting with people who go through the book the way it was intened to be, like the first 100 men and women did.
What we have now is a diluted messages.
Now heres my expeirence, for people who want and need this program, and work it, THAT DOES NOT MEAN GOING TO MEETINGS AND SHARING AND COFFEE COMMITMENTS.
THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY GO THROUGH THE STEPS, HELP OTHERS, AND REMAIN GOD CENTERED WILL NOT USE DRUGS OR ALCOHOL!
Thats a promise.
Look for a meeting with people who go through the book the way it was intened to be, like the first 100 men and women did.
What we have now is a diluted messages.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego
Posts: 4,451
I think addiction and relapse are far too complicated—and far too individual—to be covered my a multiple choice question.
Besides, I find it more helpful to just look around SR, and see all the people who have recovered, and all the different ways they've done so. I see every reason for newcomers to believe they can and will leave addiction behind.
Besides, I find it more helpful to just look around SR, and see all the people who have recovered, and all the different ways they've done so. I see every reason for newcomers to believe they can and will leave addiction behind.
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