Alcoholics Anonymous Support Group Analysis

While consumption of alcohol is a socially acceptable practice in our society, issues arise when abuse occurs. Donatelle and Thompson (2011) define alcohol abuse as the "excessive consumption or a level of consumption that interferes with work, school, or social and family relationships" (256). As with other drug addictions, this abuse is disruptive to the alcohol abusers life as well as to those close to them. Moreover, alcohol abuse is accompanied by many devastating effects for all demographics. The harms associated with the misuse and abuse of alcohol includes: harm to oneself, negative effects on friendships and social life, and negative affects to physical

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 in Akron Ohio by Dr.Bob and Bill. They created this organization because they were alcoholics trying to get over their addiction at the time, they wanted to expand this group to help out even more people. How this organization started to take off and expand farther than Akron Ohio is, the two men Dr.Bob and Bill went to the hospital in Akron Ohio to help the alcoholics in the hospital. This man that they helped in the hospital helped the two men start the first AA group, later on the idea spread to New York which started the second group, a third group started in Cleveland, within these three “founding” groups it took over four years to produce 100 sober people out of the three groups together.

A.A. (Alcoholics Anonymous), the beginning of the Twelve-Step recovery format, has been in operation since 1935 (Galanter, 2014). From the time when it first began, to the year 2014, A.A. has reportedly grown to approximately two million members worldwide, with an estimated 200,000 weekly meetings (Galanter, 2014). Over the course eighty years later, the foundational methodologies of A.A. have, for the most part, remained the same. This brief look into A.A will discuss whether or not the static procedures of A.A. are effective, and even if they are, is there room for growth in the treatment methods of A.A.? To find these answers we must begin with

This paper concerns the notoriously well known successful treatment program, Alcoholics Anonymous twelve-step program, and contrasts it to what would be referred to as a revised version of the original program. Alcoholics Anonymous has been one of the primary sources of addiction recovery in individuals for numerous years. It allows its participants, who are deemed to be part of an international fellowship of both men and women alike, an opportunity to join in a camaraderie that is self-supporting, multiracial, nonprofessional, and conveniently available in a variety of locations. It aims to let its participants share personal experiences and partake in a group atmosphere where the lead counselor bans judgment. The fundamental values of Alcoholics Anonymous exist in the twelve core steps that attendees are encouraged to follow in an effort to redeem control of their alcohol addiction problem. Alcoholics Anonymous has been proven to change participants’ principal values and assist them in changing their perceived outlook on life for an increased potential at living a healthier and addiction free lifestyle. However, the twelve core values of Alcoholics Anonymous have been challenged and questioned in an effort to

Alcoholism is a rapidly increasing problem in the society today that demands a collaborative effort to address. According to (projectknow.com), nearly 14 million adults, or every one in 13 adults, abuse alcohol or have an alcoholism problem. However, Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the appropriate system of healing available for alcoholics in our society. Alcoholics Anonymous is among the worldwide institution devoted towards assisting alcohol addicts defeat alcohol misuse through supportive measures. In order to have a richer knowledge about what the Alcoholic anonymous group is, I decided to attend one of their meetings on the ninth of November, 2015. So therefore, this paper is going to describe the background of the organization

Alcoholism, in some way or another, affects everyone, as it is ever-present in nearly every aspect of American culture. Although there are numerous different opinions on the true main influence that causes alcoholism in an individual, it is an undeniable fact that alcoholism is an addiction, which is a disease of the mind. Alcoholism cannot be fought and cured in just a few days, it takes support from loved ones, willpower, and a competent treatment center. Alcoholism is not a game to be toyed with, is is a very serious issue, which affects many individuals and their families like mine throughout the U.S. I hope that you, whoever reads this essay, learned the biological factors that influence alcoholism, as well as the social and biographical

Alcoholism is a problem affecting millions of families around the world. Based on the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Inc., Alcoholism is considered a family disease due to the amount of stress that family members go through (NCADD, 2016). Alcoholism is an addiction that requires treatment and support from family members and friends. It is important, to understand the effects that alcoholism can bring to the alcoholic and to the family members. Some of these effects cause health, emotional, physical, and financial problems all affecting the consumer which can be male or female, and the family members. It is important to point out that alcoholism has a cure which requires a long treatment of therapy and support from family members and friends.

Alcohol dependence is known to be the most severe form of alcohol abuse. A person becomes so dependent on alcohol consumption that he/she loses sight of all the other important things going on around him/her. Family matters and social responsibilities become secondary worries to his/her primary concern for existence, which is drinking (Stephens, 2007). Nearly fourteen million Americans are somewhat dependent on alcohol. Alcohol dependence is more prominent in men, and young adults ages 18-29 (Stephens, 2007). According to a study done by Saitz “85,000 deaths, along with substantial disability from medical and psychiatric consequences, injuries and “secondhand” effects (ex: motor vehicle crashes) are attributed to the use of alcohol” (Saitz, 2005).

Millions of Americans suffers from the effects of alcohol and drug abuse. It can shatter lives, brake families, and to rob people of their dreams for the future. Once alcoholism or drug addiction begins, an individual's problems not only don't go away, but their mental well being as well as physical ability continues to diminish from the immediate and long-term adverse effects from the drugs and alcohol abuse.

The alcoholic beverage has remained an established element to society’s social world and has grown into a way of living. As alcohol continues to flourish in its prevalence among citizens of the United States, so does the concept of alcohol addiction. A person becomes addicted to alcohol when they “drink excessively and develops a dependence that results in noticeable mental disturbance, or an interference with bodily and mental health, their interpersonal relations, and their smooth social and economic functioning” (Calahan, 1970, pp. 3). In 2009, the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that about 52% of Americans used alcohol at least once within 30 days of their survey. As the percentage of Americans who consume alcohol

Alcoholism also devastates families and loved ones of the addicted individual. Of the approximate 18 million alcoholics in the United States, each one adversely affects at least four other people. Families of alcoholics suffer the same symptoms of the disease as the alcoholic (Kronenwetter, 68). Excessive use of alcohol claims at least 100,000 lives each year, either through accidents or health problems. This is 25 times more loss of life than all illegal drugs combined (Bender, 168). Alcoholism and related problems cost taxpayers an overwhelming $85.8 billion in mortality and reduced productivity (Sora, 193). However, alcohol is still looked upon as a non-threatening dilemma. (Webmaster, 2009)

People drink in many ways, for many different reasons. We drink socially, to gain acceptance into a group. We drink alone to ease stress, to cope with our problems, or we “drink because we like the taste or how it makes us feel”#. Often drinking is a learned behavior, starting out as a social drinker; you quickly become psychologically and physically dependent. When someone reaches this stage they are often classified as an alcoholic. To an alcoholic, drinking becomes a compulsion; they cannot stop themselves from having another drink, like a social drinker can. In many cases alcoholics don’t even have to drink continuously in order to be an alcoholic. One the problems of alcohol addiction is that it’s something that doesn’t just effect the individual but it effects, friends and family as well. Spouse abuse, child abuse and dysfunctional family relationships can all be influenced by alcohol abuse.

In the United States, 17.6 million people – about one in every 12 adults, abuse alcohol or are alcohol dependent. (NIH: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2012) The Mayo Clinic defines alcoholism as a chronic disease in which your body becomes dependent on alcohol (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010), and indicates that more than 100,000 Americans die annually from alcohol related causes (Johnson) . Aside from the physical problems that alcohol addiction can create, there are frequently emotional and social complications. Alcoholism is a disease that harms not only the alcoholic, but also the co-workers and family of the alcoholic.

Alcohol is present throughout society and everyday life. It is often referenced in the media, through songs, television, and movies. Unlike during the Prohibition Era, in today’s society, alcohol is typically viewed positively, due to the strong influence of commercials promoting alcohol. The positive advertisement of alcohol makes it intriguing and tempting. This intrigue, combined with the overall promotion of alcohol in today’s society, leads to adults and even teenagers becoming more adventurous with trying alcohol. One negative side of alcohol consumption, alcoholism, is not discussed as often. Alcoholism is a disorder that involves a person’s ability to control his or her alcohol consumption. Often, alcoholics suffer from over consumption of alcohol or a dependency on it. Alcoholism affects 17.6 million Americans, which is roughly “1 in every 12 adults” (Wilcox). There are many effects of alcoholism that involve more than just one person. Alcoholism affects the health, social interactions and relationships, and finance of its victim.

Alcohol is one of the hundreds of substances that people can get both physically and mentally addicted to. When trying to start rehabilitation to help with someone’s addiction, someone can get confused and less motivated to start. Three of the utilized treatments comprise; mutual-support groups, behavioral treatment, and medications. Mutual-support groups are places where people can find peer support from other people wanting to quit altogether or to just cut back on their drinking. These groups help people connect with others going through the same traumatic experience and it is much easier to empathize. Another type of rehabilitation is behavioral treatment. These treatments help and individual to stop drinking through counseling. These classes guide individuals to ease off until they quit drinking altogether. The philosophies behind the behavioral treatments