PO Box 1980

Several years ago, a university published a study showing that areas of the brain associated with pleasure become lit with quiet joy when people cooperate with one another for a common goal. These feel-good areas of the human brain are packed with neurons that respond to dopamine--the same brain chemical that leads alcoholics to addiction. Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions states that "practically every AA member declares that no satisfaction has been deeper and no joy greater than in a Twelfth Step job well done." We always knew twelve-stepping was the best substitute for booze. Now science seems to agree, too.