-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 - - 2 - The crux of the recovery program of A.A. is to face up to difficult realities through inventory and to take action where possible to respond. The increasing number of members with drug problems is simply a thing we cannot change; a response through more effective teaching of the A.A. program is something we may achieve. Similarly the way in which we present A.A. to members coming from rehabs, directly or through literature, may present opportunities for improvement. THE 1989 SURVEY The 1989 survey was done through a random sampling process that produced a sample of 9.394 completed questionnaires from A.A. members of the population of groups registered at G.S.O. Except in a few cases that are noted in what follows, the sample can be taken to represent fairly well the sampled population. Composition of the Sample. Thirty-five percent of the sample are women, 22% are under 31 years of age, and 3% are under 21 years of age. Fifty-six percent are from 31 to 50, and 23% are older than 50. Help along the Way. Respondents found their way to A.A. through help from a number of sources (two cited per respondent); 34% from an A.A. memberm 30% from a rehab, and 19% from their families, to cite the three most important factors. However, 27% cited "on my own," and other less prevalent influences were counselling, 10%, and doctors, 7 percent. Other factors, such as the media, correctional facilities, Al-Anon member, friend, employher, and clergy, were noted by smaller percentages of the respondents. Although these percentages cannot be added to give an overall indication of assistance from outside sources, a separate question determined that 68% of the sample had outside professional help of some kind prior to coming to A.A. Sobriety. Thirty-five percent of the sample had been sober less than a year, 36% had between one and five years sobriety, and the remaining 29% more than five years. With regard to their practice of the A.A. program, 85% had a sponsor and 88% a home group. It appears that more detailed questions in this area might illuminate the way, on the average, that the A.A. program is practiced today. The first year. Response to a question determining how many months before the survey date the respondents first came to A.A. can be interpreted to show that approximately 50% of those coming to A.A. leave within three months. The details of this determination are given in the appendix entitled "The First Year." This is undoubtedly one of the most significant observations of the survey. Role of physicians. Although few credited their physicians as an important factor in urging them in A.A., 28% believe that their physicians now present A.A. as a progrtam of recovery to their patients, and 70% have told their physicians of their membership in A.A. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP Personal Privacy 6.5.8 iQA/AwUBQk60g7w9MOKEeRC8EQIy6wCfdUiTZRTaWjk/76QT6XkDWSrw6BUAoLEH 2IkQYR60Vs3CrjFit7WLNF4n =cYNE -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----