Psychological Conditioning On Alcoholic 's Anonymous

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.

In order to examine this relationship, substance abuse and addiction need to be understood on its own first. Drug addictions contuse to persist on both a national and global level; it is also significant to mention that such issues create a heavy burden on government and justice systems that deal with them. In fact, “9% of Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for a substance abuse disorder (6% for alcohol and 3% for illicit drugs), making it one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States” (Compton & Change 2017). Such prevalence adds pressure to government systems and taxpayers as they are, “estimated to cost Americans more than $400 billion annually: $224 billion for alcohol ($25 billion in health care) and $193 billion for illicit drugs ($11 billion in health care) (Compton and Chang 2017). Now, substance abuse or addiction are considered, “psychiatric illnesses with specific indicators [which include] a strong desire to use (or craving), and [interruption of] life activities [which are] generally reduced to drug-seeking, drug-using, and recovering from the effects of use” (Compton & Chang 2017) When an individual tries an addictive substance like nicotine, alcohol, or other illicit drugs, it activates certain parts of the brain which can induce, pleasurable feelings and, “very strong memories that drive subsequent behaviors to repeat the rewarding experience” (Compton & Change 2017). If such a drive continues to persist it can transition into a habit and create a dependency on that substance. Now, likewise to treatments to depression, those who suffer from substance abuse disorders also have a variety of treatment options. These treatment options include long term and short term residential treatments (inpatient and outpatient), individualized drug counseling, and group counseling (NIDA, n.d). With

In this essay, he False Gospel of Alcoholic Anonymous, the writer is telling his audience about a young lawyer, who is struggling with an alcohol addiction. The seemingly careless lawyer, who would go into work drunk, would defend all of his dui clients. After continuously going into work intoxicated, the lawyer decided enough was enough. He’d final check himself into an alcoholic treatment program. The writer goes on to say that the lawyer was struggling to try to keep him self motivated to stay in the program because it was faith based and the thought of him wanting to have another drink. This lawyer was defeated. I believe that the lawyer was experiencing distorted perception.

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.

A person enduring the trials of alcoholism will often suffer from a relapse. It is improbable, not impossible, that any person pursuing a life free from alcohol dependency will not have multiple relapses, which often are impulsive and craving like. Alcohol dependency is often a chronic and relapsing illness (“Factors In Alcoholic Relapse”). The best preventive measure to a life independent of alcohol is the understanding of the factors prior to relapse. During the recovery from alcohol dependency a relapse is often precipitated by emotional stress, boredom, and lack of support.

Some factors include social, religious, psychological, genetic characteristics and childhood (B. Sadock, V. Sadock, & Ruiz, 2015). Based on psychological theories, low and high doses of alcohol can have an effect on an individual’s psychological feelings of nervousness which can cause an increase or decrease in tension (B. Sadock, V. Sadock, & Ruiz, 2015). Furthermore, psychodynamic theories demonstrate that most individuals utilize this drug to help them deal with harsh superegos and to decrease unconscious stress levels (B. Sadock, V. Sadock, & Ruiz, 2015). Lastly, behavioral theories demonstrate that the rewarding effects of drinking, attitudes about one’s behavior, and reinforcement after alcohol intake contribute to the decision to continue drink despite problems ((B. Sadock, V. Sadock, & Ruiz, 2015). Based on these ethological theories, individuals with AUD can be exposed to various influences which contribute to the onset of their drinking

Addiction is a complex disease that is influenced by several factors including: genetic, developmental, experiential and environmental factors (Goldstein & Volkow, 2002). Alcohol dependence, otherwise referred to as alcoholism, is characterized by frequent use of alcohol resulting in intoxication, a preoccupation with alcohol, compulsion to seek and consume alcohol, the inability to limit alcohol intake and the emergence of negative emotional state when the drug is absent (Gilpin & Koob, 2008; Ernst et al., 2012; Kunce, & Newton, 1989; Crews, 2012). There is an estimated 85,000 deaths annually caused by unhealthy alcohol consumption. Medical issues such as liver disease, neurological problems and malignancies, in addition to behavioral and

AA was founded on Christian teachings and requires the alcoholic to believe in a higher power. AA’s Christian roots fail to consider that not all alcoholics share the same religious views. Although it allows the existence of whatever an individual considers to be their higher power, the belief in that power and being powerless over alcohol are required aspects of recovery under the Alcoholics Anonymous program. The disease model of alcohol use disorder paves the way for more inclusive treatment

Historically drug addiction has not been treated like other chronic diseases. Society has viewed the illness as being based on the person using drugs/alcohol and concluded that stopping the behavior would end the problem. The reality is that other people who have chronic disorders often require sustained and repeated treatment episodes. Amelia Arria and A. Thomas McLellan (2012) pointed out, “First, viewing addiction as a “bad habit’ or a “sin” has led us to unnecessarily attach antisocial attributes to both the addiction process itself and to those who become addicted. Second, the nature of our traditional treatments for this “condition”-generally short term, educational, and segregated from the rest of medical care–do not comport with the scientific findings showing

Alcoholism is the most common drug abuse problem in the United States. Eleven million Americans suffer from it. This abuse occurs in several different ways: loss of control over drinking, getting drunk daily, or drinking every weekend. It is usually marked by withdrawal symptoms and by increasing tolerance for alcohol. It is a chronic, progressive, relapsing brain disease. Five percent of Americans die of alcoholism and ninety-five percent of alcoholics die of alcoholism. Its physical, social, and psychological effects tend to get progressively worse (High Cost, 2015).

Drug addiction is a chronic disease. People who are addicted to a drug or substance are driven by a desire that is uncontrollable. They don’t stop to think about harmful consequences and negative effects it will have on their lives and the lives of their children. The desire to either do the drug they are addicted to or to drink the alcohol that they need overcomes all logical thought. These substances can cause changes in the brain, which can be long lasting. Drug addiction is not only a chronic disease it is also a relapsing disease. Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. This disease is not something a person can just decide to stop it takes extensive therapy to overcome addiction. In order to prevent substance-abuse and addiction, communities should offer more help and rehabilitation options.

In the year 2015-2016, 288,843 people undertook treatment for alcohol and substance abuse (Public Health England, 2016). The therapies that they received in their treatment are based upon well-evidenced theories including those that focus upon biological, learning and cognitive explanations in relation to addiction in an attempt to reduce desires and cravings for substances. Reber and Reber (2001) define addiction as "any psychological or physiological overdependence of an organism on a drug" (p.11). In order to develop useful therapies, these theories and their worth must be evaluated and the contribution each aspect contributes to developing a therapy. There is evidence that all of the above aspects of addiction are useful and needed in therapy, and it is concluded that despite some evidence of each explanation having good efficacy in therapy options, all factors should be considered in therapy to provide the best, most useful therapy for addiction.

The subject that we will be fixing in this essay is ‘Doug’. Doug has a problem with drinking. He had an easy upbringing, but lived with a military father. Doug has been drinking since he was a teenager. Doug realizes that if he continues to drink that it will continue to damage his life. His drinking has caused major problems in his life already, he has gone through two divorces because he cannot stop drinking, he has lost two children, and broken his family. Doug uses drinking as a crutch. By helping Doug end his drinking habits, he could turn his life around for the better.

Our culture promotes the belief that citizens should be able to consume mind-altering substance(s) of choice and not suffer problems as a result. The percentage that do suffer problems are convinced that, like all other drinkers, they have control over the substance. When alcohol makes their behaviour increasingly unpredictable and disturbing, the 'alcoholic' ego inflates and, with denial, assures the self and others that no problem results; it creates a grandiose delusion. "Alcoholics have to self-absorbed to make sure they are still alive. There sense of self is so tenuous that they live constantly on the edge of annihilation. Their barely cohesive selves may fragment at any time. Thus, alcoholics suffer from at least four kinds of self-pathology:

Addiction recovery can be broken down into five common phases. The first phase is awareness and acknowledgement of the problem. This can be the most difficult phase, one that many addicts never move past. Denial separates the awareness that using drugs or alcohol has had a negative consequence from the rational and emotional impact that should take place. A common cycle for an addict is denial, rationalization, and justification. It is during this cycle that addicts frequently experience of range of problems: health issues, loss of employment, deterioration of personal relationships, or even jail time. It is the repeated negative consequences, “hitting bottom”, that moves an addict from mere awareness of a problem to the acknowledgement that action is needed. Few experiences are as essential to an addict as the moment when he or she shifts from denial to a willingness to make a change.