A&E Investigative Reports: Inside Alcoholics Anonymous (2000) - the lopsided Propaganda piece used by Hazelden

In the usual attempt by the elite members of Alcoholics Anonymous at attraction, not promotion. The Investigative Reporters in A&E Investigative Reports: Inside Alcoholics Anonymous (2000) have been hoodwinked by members of the AA faith into believing that the learning of the chanting rituals and ceremonies to Bill Wilson at about $28,000 for a stay at a rehab is actually "treatment" and not voodoo magic. The Investigative report ""Inside Alcoholics Anonymous" is billed as a never seen before information by outsiders looks into the rooms of this secret society, they even claim to have a people critical of AA in the documentary.

This documentary, part of the Investigative Reports series from A&E, takes a never-before-seen look inside the famous worldwide 12-step program, Alcoholics Anonymous. Narrated by Investigative Reports host and producer Bill Kurtis, this video marks the first time an outsider has been allowed to document the goings-on of this extensive "buddy" system that has helped at least two million people. View footage and interviews from the early days of the organization, founded in 1935, up to the present. There are interviews with AA officials, present and past members, non-believers, and doctors who give the pros and cons to this form of "buddy" treatment. There is also a look at the AA General Services Office, which is the business end of the organization. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, Rovi

Source: http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/227903/Investigative-Reports-Inside-Alco...

The critical AA part of the interview? Stanton Peele of course, with his own critique of the interview!

On June 12, the A&E Television Network ran one of its investigative reports entitled, "Inside Alcoholics Anonymous." Although promoed as including "leading national health authorities and the organization's outspoken critics. . . answer[ing] questions never before asked," it was a paean to AA with short clips from Stanton and Miriam Gilliam, with their views quickly dismissed and the program ending in a paean to the salvation AA brings. For example, not one person who rejected or was unsuccessful at AA was interviewed. However, people in that category wrote to Stanton following the program, including the following:

Source and read more: http://www.peele.net/lib/inside.php

The Hazelden Foundation recovery style ambulance (i.e. Rehab) chasers sell this little piece of propaganda to people to use to "entice" prospect hunters into sending them clients at overpriced rehabs. I think they forgot to add in the "hoax" parts.....

Inside Alcoholics Anonymous DVD
A & E Investigative Reports
DVD, 47 min., cc.
Item: 7298
Publisher: A&E Home Video
Published Year: 2000

Online Price: $24.95 Each

Description:

What began as a meeting between two desperate strangers in 1935 has grown into a worldwide fellowship of at least two million people. But how much is hoax and hype, and how much is promise and salvation?

This video is the first-ever look at Alcoholics Anonymous filmed by a producer outside the organization. It goes behind closed doors to show the outside world what goes on in these meetings, the combination of dogma, procedure and community support that has transformed so many lives. It also reveals the operations of the AA General Services Office, the overseeing body that assists the fellowship worldwide. On-camera interviews with AA "old-timers" and AA's managing director, as well as leading national health authorities and the organization's outspoken critics, answer questions never before asked.

Explore the myth, challenge the hype, and meet those who have found salvation-twelve steps at a time.

Chalk up another piece of propaganda, hoodwinked by the voodoo salesmen of the Hazelden Foundation.

This "story" by A&E is rated a BIG THUMBS DOWN