The Sober Truth, Lance Dodes, MD
The Sober Truth, Lance Dodes, MD
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The Sober Truth
Debunking the Bad Science Behind 12-Step Programs and the Rehab Industry

Author: Lance Dodes, MD, Zachary Dodes

Narrator: Stephen Bel Davies

Unabridged: 6 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 01/29/2019

Synopsis

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.

About Lance Dodes, MD

Lance Dodes, MD, has been treating people with addictions for more than three decades. He is the author of The Heart of Addiction and Breaking Addiction. He is a Training and Supervising analyst emeritus with the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and recently retired assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He lives in Southern California.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Carmen

"You're sick. And you'll always BE sick." - Darla, BtVS, Episode 1.7 This book is a case of very interesting subject matter, but boring execution. I'm going to break down this book for you so you don't have to read it. Let me explain the author's views to you: - AA programs blame, humiliate and shame......more

Goodreads review by Sarah

As a therapist who frequently works with clients struggling with substance abuse, I’m baffled that I’ve never considered the fundamental question of whether the AA model is actually effective, and under what circumstances it may be contraindicated. How have I gone so long taking such care to provide......more

Goodreads review by Rick

I’ve been sober coming up on five years now. It is one of the few unquestionably good decisions I’ve made in my life. This book does a good job talking about some of the negatives of Alcoholics Anonymous. I would say it’s worth a read if you’re involved in the community. I’ll start the caveat that I......more

Goodreads review by Chris

This is a curious book. I picked it up for a book club that I'm going to soon, but I wanted to get some thoughts down while it's still fresh in my mind. A little backstory, I have a history of substance abuse primarily with alcohol, and have been to a few AA meetings myself. I've been sober for almo......more

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