In more than 30 years in general practice I found Alcoholics Anonymous (the AA) and its ethos of tough love and immediate response when indicated for those genuinely seeking help unfailingly helpful and far better than generally futile medication or burdened psychiatric services ("Therapy and psychology, not medicine, hold the key in the fight against alcoholism", The Herald, November 22 ).

R Russell Smith,

96 Milton Road, Kilbirnie.