Anonymous Groups Effectiveness

Recovery is the process of participating in a group or program providing treatment and support for a longstanding psychological or behavioral problem, such as abuse, addiction, grief, or trauma (Melemis, Steven, 2015). As a non-addict it seems easy enough to make a decision to stop drinking and follow through with that decision when temptation presents itself, but for an alcoholic it is not the simple. However, an alcoholic struggles with the temptation on a daily bases. Relapse prevention begins with addressing social interactions, emotional triggers, and developing positive coping mechanisms. Recovery and relapse requires is a process that should be done with others around to support each step and each phase of the

I chose to visit an Alcoholics Anonymous group for my Understanding Group Dynamics project. I went on March 20th 2016, to an open discussion group titled Pass it On Group for Beginners that are Living Sober. It was held at the First Congregational Church at 14 Brookside Road in Darien, CT 06854 at 6:15 p.m.. I chose to go to this group as I felt it was a group that I could most strongly connect to, as I am a recovering alcoholic. I have been cold turkey for two years now. I choose to live a sober life as the hangovers, pain that myself and loved ones endured and the constant need to escape from reality was taking over my existence. Going to this group reminded me that I am not alone in this journey of recovery and in the journey of figuring out how to live life sober with my friends, family and strangers drinking around me. The group was friendly and one that when you first enter, they make sure that you are there for the right reasons as confidentiality is important. Then right after, they welcome you with open arms and if you choose to just sit and listen that is fine, but I am a vocal person and I spoke and applauded. I am glad that we got to do this assignment, for I think without I would have never gone to an AA group meeting. I would have kept on my journey by myself and just praying when times got hard, now I have people I can reach out to.

According to the NIAAA (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), about how many previously diagnosable alcoholics matured out of their dependence? A. none B. only a fraction C. one third D. most ANS:C PG39 19. According to Hester and Miller’s empirical research, the highest treatment effectiveness scores were obtained for A. harsh confrontational techniques B. motivational enhancement. C psychoanalytical treatment D. treatment that focused on the underlying cause of the drinking or drug use. ANS:B PG39

Despite the higher cost, a high-end substance abuse treatment center does not constitute better treatment. The support of therapists, counselors, family, friends, and peers can all be important factors in the recovery process. The most significant factor for an individual in the recovery process is a desire and a willingness to change. Many options exist for individuals that want to recover from addiction. These options include substance abuse rehabilitation centers and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery. These programs all have the same goal but use different techniques that at times even contradict other programs. Although the approach of the programs may vary, they have all been proven to work for certain

For the support group observation assignment, I attended the Gateway Group’s Alcoholic Anonymous (A.A.) meeting. The Gateway Group is part of a larger organization called the Tri-County Intergroup Association of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Tri-County Intergroup serves A.A. members in Franklin, Wake, and Warren Counties and is broken down into 113 separate groups. As the preamble states, the purpose of all A.A. group meetings are for A.A. members to share their experience strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. There are no dues or fees for being an A.A. member, and the only requirement for membership is to have a desire to stop drinking ().

Although the main goal of the assessment is to refer clients to treatment, many clients refuse treatment. However, they are willing to accept referrals to non-addiction agencies to resolve problems that have either been caused by addiction or that led to the problems. This assessment may be an intervention that the client needs. You will want to use the appropriate research-based screening tools that may be applicable to the client’s individual circumstances.

As clinicians, there is a duty to provide as clear of a diagnostic assessment as possible, particularly in relation to substance use, in order to provide the best care. In Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice, the authors state “as with other diseases and disorders, the earlier a therapist diagnoses a substance abuse problem, the better the prognosis for the client.” (Stevens & Smith, 2013) This makes assessment crucial to the diagnostic process. In “Screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT) for illicit drug and alcohol use at multiple heathcare sites,” written by Madras, Compton, Avula, Stegbauer, Stein, & Clark (2009), the reported 2006 NSDUH survey statistics estimated that “22.6 million people harbor a diagnosable alcohol or illicit drug use disorder.” (Madras et.al, 2009) Over the years, researchers have developed

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.

Narcotics Anonymous is a support group using the same principles as Alcoholics Anonymous but designed for individuals addicted to narcotics (Fortinash & Holoday Worret, 2012). The programs emphasize both personal responsibility and mutual accountability by means of a social model recovery program which is peer-driven. Recovery Kentucky utilizes care and change as their foundation for the peer-driven model. Participants are often reminded the program is not just a pit stop for drug and alcohol use but a commitment to change the whole body, mind and spirit. They are required to attend community meetings and complete a twelve step program where the client will acknowledge the problem, recognize a solution and develop a plan of action that will support the ultimate goal of sobriety (MIC Program Description, n.d.).

In an effort to aid in the proper treatment recommendations for individuals presenting with substance abuse or dependence issues, the ASI was created for study purposes through the Veteran’s Administration in 1977 (McLellan et Al., 2006). It is a multidimensional assessment tool that expands its focus outside of simply substance abuse, but into other key complex domains that that either directly impact the individual’s substance abuse, or their subsequent recovery efforts (Denis, et AL., 2012). The ASI is a semi-structured assessment tool, that while it utilizes direct answers, also allows for the expansion of certain questions and the ability for assessor notes outside of provided questions, in order to allow a clearer understanding within certain domains. While I have never personally used a precise ASI assessment professionally with a client, I did notice an undeniable, almost succinct, similarity with the biopsychosocial assessment I use with clients in my position.

Bering the uniqueness of each individual, people seek psychotherapy propelled by unique problems and conditions. Generally, many people will look for therapy because of sense of dissatisfaction with emotional pain or life. Sometimes it can be from immediate distress that is related to a definite crisis like addiction, separation or a loss, maybe on ongoing difficulty in part of their lives like work or relationship. For some people it might be due to suffering strong sadness, worry or fear. To some extent individuals might not have a clear external problem, but having inner sense of emptiness, dissatisfaction, or missing something. Screening and assessment play a critical role in psychotherapy. Extend of collecting details during assessment always differ depending on the settings of treatment as well as circumstances. For example, within primary settings like hospitals and medical practices, the aim of screening tends to be for determining hazardous or dependent drinkers.

In the article “Determining the Relative Importance of the Mechanisms of Behavior Change Within Alcoholics Anonymous: A Multiple Mediator Analysis” the authors conducted research to determine what techniques used in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) aid in relapse prevention. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (2016) alcohol is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States that is preventable. In 2014 alone, thirty-one percent of all traffic fatalities were alcohol related (NIAAA, 2016). The study participants suffered from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and attended AA. NIAAA (2016) states the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV has integrated alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence into a single alcohol-related disorder, AUD with mild, moderate, and severe classifications. AUD is diagnosed when a client’s drinking causes themselves or others anguish or injury AA began in the 1930’s and is an informal organization of men/women who have a drinking problem (AA, 2016). AA is based upon anonymity along with twelve steps/principles and meetings for those seeking help with sobriety. Research has shown that participating in AA reduces risk of relapse and this article aims to understand the techniques that empowers those to remain sober.

Alcohol, Opioids and stimulant abuse have been an increasing problem within the United States. Several treatment approaches have been researched and developed to help curb the growing substance abuse issues. Some of the programs developed have been proven unsuccessful and received very little support. Currently, more evidence practices are being incorporated within the treatment process. The abuse of substances impacts mental, physical health and leads to problems in social functioning. Alcohol Anonymous (AA) 12 step program has been deemed efficacious and continuous to be a successful intervention for individuals who abuse alcohol. Several other interventions modeling AA were developed such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Methadone Anonymous

The third and final stage of recovery is known as late recovery, and involves a client finding growth and meaning in life. In this stage, relapse may be less frequent as a sense of purpose is found. As this stage is found only by enduring great challenges, a client may not be as tempted by relapse and the act of back tracking in their recovery may seem tiresome and unworthy of their time. However, though a deep awareness of the consequences of substance abuse is profound, relapse is still possible if an addict forgets that he or she has a disease that is incurable and succumbs to the enticement of “just this one time can’t hurt” or has the thought that “I have been clean for so long. I am cured.” Bill W. stated in his book Alcoholics Anonymous that “This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it-this utter inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish” (pg. 34). Complete abstinence is the only choice for those with the disease of addiction, and so many recovering addicts forget this simple realization in the late recovery stage.

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