# Alcoholics Anonymous

Hacker Approved page: https://hackerapproved.com/p/alcoholics-anonymous/

9 people recommended Alcoholics Anonymous in Hacker News comments, 2 had mixed feelings and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to October 2026. It was recommended in 6 of 12 months, in 8 threads. It does not meet the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Recommended for getting sober through free meetings, sponsors and a shared program. Main caveat: critics object to its religious elements.

Summary written by Claude from 12 comments.

## Why people recommend it

- Helps people get sober (3 comments in the sample): "with AA it’s helpful to get people sober and there’s value and comfort in that" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46493060)) "has helped millions of people get sober" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47877140)) "It worked for me when nothing else did." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50096284))
- Meetings and sponsor support (2 comments in the sample): "Then you’ll see what’s possible with a program, help, and work." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49886893)) "find a meeting you like and get a sponsor you also like" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49881748))
- Accessible and worth trying (2 comments in the sample): "I do honestly and fervently believe it's worth trying" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45813641)) "AA programs are accessible and can be helpful." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46492971))
- Valuable, comforting experience (2 comments in the sample): "I still rely on the wisdom I gained in AA/MA." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46637351)) "It's such a wonderful experience." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47877389))

## What people warn about

- Religious elements and compelled participation (1 comment in the sample): "AA is religious, and so is not an appropriate activity for the state to compel participation in." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45814254))

## Where to get it

- [Visit the official site](https://www.aa.org/)

## The badge

A product earns the Hacker Approved badge when at least 10 people recommend it, recommenders outnumber critics at least 2 to 1 (mixed feelings count toward neither side), it was recommended in at least 4 of the 12 months and in at least 5 different threads, and no single thread supplies more than half of the people who recommend it. Health and money products are never badged.

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Alcoholics Anonymous", https://hackerapproved.com/p/alcoholics-anonymous/ (9 recommend, 2 mixed, 1 criticize; Hacker News comments, November 2025 to October 2026).

Counts updated 2 Nov 2026, with data through October 31, 2026.