Dianetics vs. Support Groups (AA/NA): An Evidence-Based Comparison
Comparing two approaches to recovery—one provides community and coping strategies, the other addresses the source of addiction and mental distress.
Tony Peacock
Humanitarian & Mental Health Research Advocate
Published: 2024
Tony is an Australian who moved to South Africa and made it his home. At 25, he overcame drug and alcohol addiction through Dianetics after trying alternative healing approaches. He served as Church staff in Australia for 12 years before moving to SA in 2022. As a humanitarian and philanthropist, he has made significant contributions to mental health infrastructure across Southern Africa. His mission: help the able become more able using technology that makes people causative.
The Fundamental Difference
Support groups and Dianetics have completely different philosophies. Understanding this difference is the key to choosing the right path for yourself.
The Support Group Model
Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) believe you're powerless over your addiction and need ongoing group support to stay sober. The 12-step model emphasizes admitting powerlessness, surrendering to a higher power, and attending meetings regularly—often for life.
"You're powerless over your addiction. You need this group and a higher power to stay sober."
The Dianetics Model
Dianetics believes that addiction, depression, and other conditions are caused by specific traumatic memories stored in the reactive mind. The solution is to find and process these memories through auditing, permanently removing their power and the compulsion they create.
"You have painful memories driving your addiction. We can find them and release them so you're free."
Comparison Table: Support Groups vs. Dianetics
| Factor | Support Groups (AA/NA) | Dianetics |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Community support, 12 steps, ongoing meetings | Locate and process traumatic memories to remove compulsion |
| Philosophy | You're powerless; need group and higher power | You can resolve the source and be free |
| Time Commitment | Weekly meetings for life (many attend daily) | Intensive sessions (40-100 hours total), then done |
| Cost (South Africa) | Free or donation-based (time commitment is significant) | varies based on individual needs |
| Effectiveness for Addiction | Helps maintain sobriety through community and accountability | Addresses traumatic incidents driving addictive behavior |
| Relapse Rate | High (40-60% relapse within first year, per NIDA) | Lower when traumatic source is fully addressed |
| Effectiveness for Mental Health | Provides support and coping strategies | Addresses traumatic memories causing mental distress |
| Long-Term Outcome | Lifelong attendance required to maintain recovery | Permanent resolution of addressed issues |
| Community Aspect | Strong (meetings provide fellowship and support) | Individual process (one-on-one auditing) |
| Religious/Spiritual Component | Yes (surrender to "higher power" is core principle) | No (secular technology of the mind) |
| Accessibility | High (meetings available in most SA cities) | Moderate (requires trained auditor, available in major SA cities) |
| Best For | Community support, accountability, fellowship | Addressing root cause, permanent resolution, freedom from compulsion |
The South African Context
South Africa has a severe substance abuse crisis. According to the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU), alcohol is the primary substance of abuse, followed by cannabis, methamphetamine (tik), and heroin (nyaope). Support groups like AA and NA are widely available in major cities, with meetings held daily in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Pretoria.
But here's what many South Africans discover: support groups help you stay sober through community and accountability, but they don't remove the compulsion. Many people attend meetings faithfully for decades, constantly fighting the urge to use. They're sober, but not free.
When Support Groups Work Well
Support Groups are Effective For:
- Community and fellowship with others who understand
- Accountability and structure in early recovery
- Learning coping strategies from others' experiences
- Free or low-cost support (accessible to everyone)
- Spiritual growth and connection to higher power
- When you value ongoing community over individual resolution
When Support Groups Fall Short
Support Groups May Not Be Enough For:
- Severe trauma driving addictive behavior
- Constant cravings and white-knuckling sobriety
- Repeated relapses despite faithful meeting attendance
- When you want freedom from compulsion, not just management
- Dual diagnosis (addiction + mental health conditions)
- When lifelong meeting attendance feels like a prison
The Cost Comparison Over Time
While support groups are free or donation-based, the time commitment is significant:
Support Groups Time Investment
- Weekly meetings: 1.5 hours/week × 52 weeks × 20 years = 1,560 hours
- Travel time: 1 hour/week × 52 weeks × 20 years = 1,040 hours
- Sponsorship/service: ~500 hours
- Total over 20 years: 3,100+ hours
- That's 129 full days of your life
Dianetics Time & Cost
- Dianetics book: R350
- Professional auditing: 40-100 hours total
- Cost: varies based on individual needs
- Ongoing time commitment: 0 hours
- Total (lifetime): 40-100 hours
- Then you're done—permanently
What the Research Shows
Support groups have mixed research results. A 2009 Cochrane Review found that AA was no more effective than other treatments for maintaining abstinence. However, many people find value in the community and fellowship, even if the success rates aren't as high as claimed.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that 40-60% of people relapse within the first year of recovery[14], regardless of treatment method. This suggests that simply managing symptoms through support and willpower isn't enough for many people.
Dianetics takes a different approach: instead of managing addiction through ongoing support, it addresses the traumatic incidents that drive compulsive behavior. While mainstream addiction medicine doesn't recognize Dianetics, many people have used it successfully to overcome addiction permanently.
Can You Do Both?
Yes. Many people find that Dianetics and support groups complement each other:
- Use support groups for immediate support while working through Dianetics
- Use Dianetics to address the traumatic source of your addiction or condition
- Many people report that after completing Dianetics, they no longer need support groups because the compulsion is gone—but some continue attending for fellowship and community
The Bottom Line
Choose support groups if: You value community and fellowship. You're comfortable with lifelong meeting attendance. You believe you're powerless and need ongoing group support. Cost is a major concern (groups are free).
Choose Dianetics if: You have severe trauma driving your addiction or condition. You're tired of white-knuckling sobriety and want freedom from compulsion. You want permanent resolution, not lifelong management. You're willing to invest time and money upfront for lasting results.
Or do both: Use support groups for immediate community and accountability while using Dianetics to address the traumatic source of your condition.
Ready to Learn More?
If you're tired of managing your addiction or condition through willpower and group support, and want to address the source, Dianetics offers a different path.