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Jung understood the need for community support beyond professional treatment. Jung inspired the founders of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) movement after his honest feedback to one of his patients, “Ricard H,” that conventional medical and psychiatric treatment of his addiction was hopeless. He advised that he seek a spiritual environment and “hope for the best.”

In 1961, a few years before Jung’s death, there were letter communications between “Bill W” and Jung. In these letters, “Bill W” credits Jung for his honesty with his friend “Richard H” that conventional medical and psychiatric treatment of his addiction was hopeless. He further credits Jung for his conviction that “man is something more than intellect, emotion and “two dollars’ worth of chemicals.” “Bill W” also acknowledged that many of its members, after recovery, received excellent treatment from Jungian analysts.