The 12 step peer support program used by Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous has been around since the 1930s. Founded by a stockbroker and surgeon, the 12 step program has often been used to help people suffering from drug and alcohol problems.

Yet new research conducted by Nicole Lee from the National Drug Research Institute has found that this style of treatment is not really effective, with a reported drop out rate of 40% in the first year. It also found that the peer support element of AA meetings was often the factor that helped people work through their alcohol and drug issues, rather than the actual 12 step program.

Image: Shutterstock: Image: Roman Chazov

Produced By: Andrew Herlinger

Featured In Story: Professor Nicole Lee, National Drug Research, Curtin University

First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 6 April 2022