Alcohol Alert - January 2025

In this episode, we dive into the history, structure, and impact of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Our guests, Tim, a long-standing member and trustee on the General Service Board, and Dr Kieran Moriarty, founder of Alcohol Care Teams and AA trustee, share their insights into the organisation’s role in supporting individuals struggling with alcohol dependence.Tim outlines AA’s origins in 1935, its foundational principles, and how it operates as a fellowship rather than a governing body. Kieran discusses the success of AA as outlined in a Cochrane review and NICE Quality Standard on alcohol-use disorders.A key takeaway is the power of community in recovery. As Tim puts it:“AA isn’t about rules or restrictions; it’s about one alcoholic helping another. That’s where the real change happens.”To find information on AA, including meetings, visit: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit instalcstud.substack.com