Using AA vs. Abusing AA This paper will try to explain the different views of how and why Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs are accepted and rejected as effective tools in treating alcoholism and other addictions. The articles reviewed contradict the others’ opinion. First, we see that supporting the 12-step programs with a degree of involvement both the doctor and patient will see better results in treating the addiction. The second view will show that 12-step programs can be used
“early A.A.” refers to the early fellowships and meetings held in Akron, Ohio. These meetings took place between 1935 and 1939 when Alcoholics Anonymous was an integral part of “A First Century Christian Fellowship” (Pitman 56). A.A. was the outcome of a meeting between Bill W., a New York stockbroker, and Dr. Bob S., an Akron surgeon. Both had been hopeless alcoholics (Fingarette 14). Before this time, Bill and Dr. Bob had each been in contact with the Oxford Group, a mostly nonalcoholic fellowship
In the United States, twenty million children are experiencing physical, verbal and emotional abuse from parents who are addicted to alcohol. Growing up in an alcoholic house can leave emotional scars that may last a lifetime. This is tragic because we consider that childhood is the foundation on which our entire lives are fabricated. When a child’s efforts to bond with an addicted parent are handicapped, the result is confusion and intense anxiety. In order to survive in a home deficient, of healthy
Alcoholics Anonymous When I saw the Alcoholics Anonymous assignment on our syllabus earlier this semester I thought, "Oh my god, I have to go to some stupid AA meeting." In the weeks prior to attending the meeting, I was very nervous about attending it because I did not know what to expect. Some of the questions going through my mind were: "Was everyone expected to talk at the meeting?" and "Was I going to be criticized as the outsider wanting to know what AA was all about?" Those were my
THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES The consumption of alcoholic beverages has caused too much turmoil in our society. A careful examination of this subject can help an honest person see the terrible consequences that alcohol can bring to those who become a slave to it. Even though some people do not wish to recognize that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is something unethical, we must acknowledge that it is. The issue that will be under discussion is one that is spreading around very fast
Wilson’s theory on Alcoholism; whether it’s a disease or a spiritual problem. In addition to the question of the origins of alcoholism another question is if the “Big Book” and 12 step program about alcohol or about finding God. This paper is about Alcoholics Anonymous and how the organization treats alcoholism as a disease that it impossible to cure unless the individual finds God. I believe that AA operates in a fashion similar to that of a cult because of what the book teaches and the message that
I attended an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting on October 14. The group meets Saturdays at 10:00 AM in the SURF Alano Center. This was a Primary Purpose Group, and they have a strong focus on the Big Book, the basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous. Since the meeting is focused on the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, the Preamble, 12 Traditions, and Support Group Guidelines were read in the beginning. Many of the members had these texts memorized and would recite them together. Then, the chairperson
For my clinical experience I visited the Gratitude Alcoholic Anonymous group at Living Hope church. What I found to be most clinically and professionally meaningful in attending this meeting was the safe zone it created for individuals who are struggling with substance abuse. An Alcoholic Anonymous group is a meeting I could send my patients to get the social support and care they need to recover from substance abuse. The most assuring aspect of the meeting that I believe is the most beneficial
I have never experienced what it would be like to be a part of an AA meeting. The only time I have had seen or heard someone mention meetings for alcoholics has been TV shows and movies, which would portray these meeting as a circle of strangers just deliberating stories of their life and how this disease has changed them forever. Therefore, I had no idea what to expect. I felt intimidated and had a sense of nervousness, so I decided I would not go alone and brought a friend. My expectation upon
Alcoholics Anonymous: In Times of Need My assignment was to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting and write my observations and thoughts on the meeting, its structure and philosophical beliefs. I was extremely uncomfortable about attending such a personal meeting. Would individuals welcome me or feel as if I would judge? Even though I was uncomfortable, I am glad I attended the meeting as it was a very enlightening experience for me. Enlightening in the fact it changed the way I look
Introduction The client of focus is a twenty-seven year old, African American male who suffers from severe alcoholism. In order to protect the confidentiality of my client he will be referred to as Johnathan throughout this paper. Johnathan has a daughter that is 5 years of age who also suffers from the consequences of her father’s actions. Before interviewing I explained to Johnathan that anything he shared with me would be completely confidential, and that he could stop at any time during the interview
steps, embracing the 12 step program, experiencing a spiritual awakening, using the Alcoholic Anonymous group resources, and getting fully involved in the program activities. Networking these elements outside of their meetings is necessary that serves as a protection for the alcoholic well-being explains Richard N. Cloud, Craig H. Ziegler, and Richard D. Blondell on his journal article called, "What Is Alcoholics Anonymous Affiliation?. They also will determine that “working the 12-steps and attending
Alcoholics Generated From Family Many factors affect the way an adolescent reacts to the peer pressures of substance abuse. Many of these factors can be traced back to the adolescent’s family environment and upbringing. Researchers have described children of alcoholics as victims of an alcoholic family environment characterized by disruption, deviant parental role models, inadequate parenting, and disturbed parent child relationships. (Black.1982) An adolescent’s home and family are their
Summary Community Experience about the Meeting The following meeting takes place at South Dade group on October 9, 2015 at 8:30 PM. When I was asked to participate at the community experience alcoholics anonymous (AA), I was really worried because I did not have a clue of what it is all about. “Alcoholics Anonymous is an international organization of individuals who have struggled with drinking problems at some point in their lives” (recovery.org). As I steeped in the meeting, I observed in the wall
Alcoholics anonymous was first open in Akron Ohio in 1935 and has helped thousands of people around the world today. It was co- founded by Bill Wilson who also is an international mutual aid fellowship as well as Robert Holbrook Smith who went by the name “Dr. Bob Smith”. He was an American physician and surgeon who just like Bill Wilson helped co-found AA. AA stands for Alcoholics anonymous and its symbol is a “sobriety circle and triangle symbol”. The triangle represents three answers which are
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international organization of individuals who have struggled with drinking at some point in their lives. The main purpose of AA is to maintain our sobriety and help other alcoholics achieve recovery. The organization offers meetings in all cities and members can attend multiple meetings if they want to. They also provide different schedules and easily accessible meeting places that can be reached by public transportations. For instance, the AA meeting I attended was
The Children of an Alcoholic Alcohol has been around us for tens of thousands of years, and with alcohol we have alcoholism. Alcoholism, as defined by Oxford dictionaries means “an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency.” When you are an alcoholic, alcohol becomes your life. It takes priority before your job, friends, and even your family, but a lot of us don’t really know how dangerous it really is. The
The first chapter of the Alcoholics Anonymous book, covers the story of Bill W. His story goes into detail about his on and off relationship with alcohol and how almost every struggle in his life was because he couldn’t put down the bottle. It covers major points in his life where he was determined to quit, but would find himself at the bar stool the after a few days. Even when committed to a nationally known hospital for the mental and physical rehabilitation of alcoholics, he found himself having
Alcoholic energy drinks should not be legally sold in the United States because mixing alcohol and caffeine for consumption leads to dangerous consequences. Caffeine does not compensate for the effects of alcohol. Caffeine is a stimulant drug while alcohol is a depressant, and the two drugs do not cancel the effects of each other, although that idea is often misconstrued by drinkers. Consuming alcoholic energy drinks often leads to decreased perception of intoxication, impaired cognitive functioning
I attended an open Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in my neighborhood; officially called the Olive Branch Meeting. The meeting was offered as having a speaker and discussion, it lasted ninety minutes. The Big Book was referenced but it appeared that the speaker was the only one in possession of the Book. To my surprise a fellow Liberty University Student was there in the same capacity as I was, however she was enrolled in a different course. We sat together. Upon arriving at the meeting, Tom H., the