Are the Prayer and Meditation Involved in AA Effective Treatments for Alcoholism?

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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) helps individuals quit drinking and achieve a better life through its teachings of peer support and abstinence. Because the program heavily involves the use of prayer and meditation, there is some question as to whether or not these parts of the process are effective treatments for alcoholism as well.

Role of Prayer and Meditation in AA

The eleventh step of AA implores members to seek “through prayer and meditations to improve [their] conscious contact with God as [they] understand Him, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry that out.” These concepts are extremely important to the program, as they allow individuals to achieve the twelfth step (spiritual awakening), create a strong relationship with their higher power, and be in harmony with the culture of AA.

Are Prayer and Meditation Effective Treatments for Alcoholism?

While they are not currently considered to be evidence-based therapies for addiction recovery, prayer and meditation have been found to complement the treatment of alcoholism. One 2025 study analyzed the effectiveness of short prayers, lasting no more than one minute, on marginalized communities with limited access to addiction treatment. The study found that individuals who engaged in the prayer experienced fewer cravings, lower relapse risks, and fewer symptoms of anxiety during the process.

In addition to the physical benefits they experienced, the study participants also reported feeling more centered and stabilized, especially during triggering or high-risk experiences. As such, researchers noted that prayer and meditation may prove very beneficial supplements to traditional, evidence-based recovery frameworks, especially in environments where access to more clinical treatments is a challenge.

Mindfulness, a benefit achieved through meditation, can also be extremely helpful toward the treatment of alcoholism. According to a study from the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence, an initial trial of mindfulness training used for smoking cessation “may confer benefits greater than those associated with current standard treatments” for the condition, including higher reduction and abstinence rates. By this theory, the concept of mindfulness as learned through meditation and mindfulness training can help individuals recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction as well.

The Importance of Spirituality as a Part of AA

These concepts make a large difference in the lives of many individuals, allowing them to feel comforted, supported, and strong in ways they may never have before. Though the spiritual aspects of AA are not for everyone, they are effective treatments for many individuals, just like many evidence-based approaches.

AA’s Higher Power: How Can I View It?

For many people, AA’s suggestion that they give themselves over to a higher power, a term originally coined in the 1930s by the program, can be easily achieved while, for others, it can be very difficult. For those who grew up with religious backgrounds or find comfort in religion, their belief in a specific god can be the higher power they seek. However, you do not have to view it this way if you prefer not to. Does the Higher Power Have to Be a Form of God? According to the Journal of Addictive Diseases, “Critics have argued that AA…

Prayer and meditation are parts of AA that members are asked to continue even after they have gone through their initial 12-step journey. This is not only because the concepts encourage oneness and harmony among members but because they are very effective treatment options for many alcoholics, at any stage of recovery. If you want to learn more about AA, call 800-948-8417 Sponsored .