In his article "Why the Hostility Towards the 12-Steps " David Sack asserts that the misconceptions about 12-step programs prevents many people from recovering. Sack backs this claim up with the description of the seven most controversial misunderstanding of the program, and the truth about religion, powerlessness, meeting substitute dependence, cult, to many rules, idea the program does not work, and that it is for old men and loser. In order to help the reader to examine the misjudgments and the fundamentals of the 12-step programs, "by no means a perfect program"(par. 1), instead of prejudging them. Sack is writing to a new audience of Alcoholics who are looking for ways to recover from
When Rowland H., a prominent Rhode Island businessman and Yale graduate, relapsed into his alcoholism, the renowned psychoanalyst Carl Jung, refused to provide any further treatment citing that Rowland had reached the end of what psychology and medical science had to offer him. Carl Jung recommended that Rowland H. seek spiritual guidance and referred him to the Oxford Group. (Blum, 2006)
Programs that aid in the recovery of family members of addicts are also very different from those that help with domestic violence. The 12-step program worked by family members in Al-Anon is almost identical to those worked by alcoholics in AA, including acknowledging the fact that they are “powerless over alcohol,” placing a reliance on a higher power to “restore [them] to sanity,” (Al-Anon, 2008; p.44). This approach can make a person who has been abused feel even less in control of their life. This idea also serves to further reinforce the excuse of substance use that might be made by their abuser.
The group prayed after reviewing the guidelines. Then, a participant of the group proceeded to read the “how it works” from the AA book. Afterwards, another member read the 12 traditions. Two participants shared their experience with Alcoholism while others provided reflections and support. The facilitator informed me that each meeting two participants share. After the two participants shared, the AA meeting ended with another prayer. This paper will talk about my observations and reactions attending the AA meeting, and how attending the meeting will inform my future work as a clinician. The purpose of this paper is to present my personal experience of an AA meeting, and how I plan to grow as a therapist from that
The 12-step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous is a well-known treatment method that’s used for many types of addiction, not just alcohol. Alcoholics are encouraged to “work” the 12-steps. The first step involves admitting the powerlessness over alcohol. The second step has the alcoholic believe that there is some type of a greater power working that will help aide the alcoholic to reach sobriety, as well as maintain is once reached. This step is an example of the religious influence on the 12-step recovery process.
Many reformed addicts also believe they are no longer in recovery from addiction and they simply just quit. The beliefs of the twelve-step program may not appeal to everyone but the key to the program is recognizing a problem and taking the steps to correct it.
The counseling student attended two AA meetings as an observer in order to understand the dynamics of the AA culture and to experience the possibilities of working in the field of addictions. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the various behavioral patterns of use described in the AA meetings (e. g., intensity, frequency, length of time and attempts to quit). This paper also identifies other necessary information required for proper assessment and diagnosis. This essay concludes with a synthesis of the information gathered from personal observation and this course’s texts assignments.
At the beginning of my training, I was hesitant to work with people struggling with addiction. However, at this point, I am excited to begin working with this population. The raw honesty presented in the group setting along with the anger at the possibility of losing a safe place created a dynamic I wanted to further explore. Research supports that individuals attending group therapy in a 12 step program format succeed if they have the proper support and motivation (Cite). The group dynamic demonstrated that recovery takes time and self-discovery, similar to other situations dealt with in therapy. Subsequently, by using my sense of self and humor with clients struggling with addiction, I can help them in their journey. Furthermore, the client needs to identify accountability at their own pace in the process and not when others dictate. This knowledge and the personalization of addiction will aid me in the future support of my
The 12-Step program addresses the factors or causes that are responsible for, or related to, substance abuse by helping individuals to understand the concept of change. “Processes of change are the covert and overt activities that people engage in to alter affect, thinking,
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 as “self-help” treatment and must be used in conjunction with other forms of rehabilitation. When AA and other 12-step programs are not used with other forms of treatment, the patient tends to become codependent on the group.
Alcoholics Anonymous relies on a twelve step base towards recovery. These 12 steps have a spiritual background towards them but the founders encourage alcoholics to take what they wants from these steps that will help them and leave the rest. These 12 steps include:
The recovery program is comprised of four phases. The first phase of the program referred to as SOS or “Safe off the Street” offers an environment for the client to become drug and alcohol free, commit to a plan of recovery and determine whether or not he wants to change. Clients move from the SOS phase into the Motivational Tracks where they focus on the first two steps of the twelve step program. During this phase clients are required to walk to classes that are held at off campus locations. This is referred to as “trudging” which shows their commitment to recovery mimicking the same commitment they had for their addiction. During this phase clients
The Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step recovery program guides alcoholics through a series of behavioral, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social actions towards sobriety and wellness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking has lead to approximately 88,000 deaths in the United States each year and accounts for 1 in 10 deaths in working age adults, aged 20-64. Alcoholics Anonymous, a spiritual fellowship of men and women focused on a common goal of stopping drinking, has helped over 2 million people get sober and stay sober. The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous are designed to promote
There are millions of people who have and who are suffering from alcoholism. For those seeking help with their addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) may be the right for them. While this program is not promised to be a cure, and the authors of this program does not promise full recovery, it provides an atmosphere where members can be honest about their dependency on alcohol. Furthermore, AA provides support from other alcoholics, and rewards for meeting certain sobriety anniversary dates. This paper explores the history and major developments of AA. Furthermore, this paper explains the structure of meetings, and the roles the leader and members play during meetings. This paper also touches on AA’s definition of success and how it handles members who relapse. Additionally, this paper explains this student’s experiences of two AA meetings she attended, which include what she learned from attending the meetings, and what she learned from the people she met at the meetings.
Finally, chapter eleven discusses how the alcoholic, fully accepting his recovery, will not seek to drink again. The alcoholic will change the people, places, and things that have made them an alcoholic as much as possible and will live a life of sobriety and become a living success for others. The chapter reiterates Doctor Bob and Bill’s first visit together and their eventual creation of Alcoholics Anonymous. Lastly, the chapter continues
Numerous treatment methods are constantly being discovered and developed to help start alcohol and drug abusers down the path of sobriety. There are many different methods available to help addicts who need help or to help addicts who want help. Our system is diverting from a punishing approach to a treatment approach. This paper will examine the most popular inpatient and outpatient options available throughout the nation. The types of addicts who normally file into these types of settings will be exam e, and The Way of Life. May I do your will always” (Alcoholics). These prayers are recited by the addict and must be experienced as well as nurtured to successfully break your addiction and never go back once you have completed the twelve