I can't link here (at least I think I can't - it probably will when I hit submit) but I suggest you cut and paste to read it. It's written by a professor of history and politics at Griffith University, Ross Fitzgerald, the author of 35 books, including My Name is Ross: An Alcoholic's Journey.
A taste to give you an idea of the content which deals with the added bonuses to the mental health of AA members:
"The team of researchers involved in the Massachusetts study found that those who frequently attended AA meetings had fewer symptoms of depression - along with less drinking - than did those with less AA participation.
"Our study is one of the first to examine the mechanisms underlying behavioural change with AA and to find that AA attendance alleviates depression symptoms," Kelly says.
"Perhaps the social aspect of AA helps people feel better psychologically and emotionally, as well as to stop drinking."
As Kelly explains, participation in the program's 12 suggested steps and its social fellowship are designed to support a person's sense of wellbeing. While an alcoholic becoming abstinent by whatever means often leads to a positive change in mood, that process seems to happen more quickly in AA participants."
Edit: It links to a login page, which is odd, but the article is called 'Sharing twelve steps to abstinence helps make the heart grow fonder' and I used the words: 'Ross Fitzgerald The Australian Sharing' in google to bring it up.
Sorry for any confusion - I'm a bit of a luddite.
-- Edited by Frodo on Sunday 27th of November 2011 06:09:03 AM
-- Edited by Frodo on Sunday 27th of November 2011 06:10:23 AM
