Alcohol use is widespread in the majority of the world population. Most of these people feel that they are addicted and need help to lower or avoid alcohol use. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offers a program to those who try to avoid alcohol consumption. This paper will look at the history, traditions, rules, and program effectiveness (including benefits and risks) of the organization. AA has a 12-step program which emphasizes on the activities and goals. The program is usually done in a group and intends to help people realize their powerlessness over alcohol. The person understands the weakness and stops consuming alcohol entirely by following the 12 steps.
AA History
Alcohol Anonymous originated from The Oxford Group, which is a self-help group. AA was founded by Bill Wilson, who initially had less success in assisting those with difficulty in attempting to be sober. Bill focused more on treating alcoholism scientifically instead of the fundamental Christian way of recovering. When he traveled to Ohio in 1995, he met Dr. Robert Smith, who was also struggling to recover. After working together for a month, Smith stopped alcohol consumption. This marked the official anniversary of Alcohol Anonymous globally.
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Dr. Smith shortly worked under The Oxford Group. After much criticism for their practices, they cut off from the Oxford Group and started Alcohol Anonymous in 1937. AA made a lot of changes despite adopting many of the fundamentals from the Oxford Group. The actions, sponsors, and meetings added has aided AA to be recognized as a successful support group to a lot of individuals globally.
Structure of AA
AA is run by former alcoholics who are members of the organization who have a desire in aiding others rather than a leadership team. The structure of the organization has proven to be effective. AA has over two million members throughout the world. The number of chapters increases annually, with over ten thousand self-help groups currently in the world. Every AA group runs independently and depends on donations to cover the expenditures. Some of these groups hold boards where individual affiliates serve on offices for a short time, which runs from a few months to two years. Group members elect a new person to the position when the term expires. The positional rotation gives members a chance to be as active as they desire during their time. A membership survey of 2014 disclosed that in less than a year, about 27% of the members have been sober, and 22% remained sober after more than 20 years. And from 1976 to 2001, AA members have doubled. The Lasker Award was awarded to AA for its uniqueness and success in tackling alcoholism.
Steps and Traditions of AA
All members participating in the organization's group are encouraged to read the Big Book, which is AA's bible. The Big Book offers inspirational tales and resources that will aid individuals in overcoming alcohol use disorder (AUD). It explains the 12 traditions and 12 steps of Alcohol Anonymous. The book also contains individual stories of those who have achieved sobriety. More stories are added as the Big Book releases a new edition. Many people in recovery relate to the stories and motivate them.
The 12 traditions
The twelve traditions stand as the foundation of AA. These traditions assure members of the safety of the organization, and they can share their experiences and receive support for their alcoholism.
The traditions are broken down into:
The members’ common welfare comes first: individual recovery is dependent on the unity of AA
AA's exclusive obligation is an individual's desire to overcome alcoholism.
Every group should be independent unless a matter affects AA wholly or other groups.
Every group has a single objective- to relay the message to those suffering from alcoholism.
A group should nevermore lend, bank, or endorse the AA designation to other similar organizations outside AA. Doing that will make the money problems, prestige, and property will divert the main objective.
Each AA group should be self-sufficient, and outside contributions ought to be declined.
AA should be eternally non-professional, but the service centers can hire specialists.
Alcoholics Anonymous should never be organized but can create committees or boards of service with a responsibility to those they head.
AA offers no opinion for issues beyond them, and therefore their name should not be dragged into public debate.
AA's public relations policy is not based on promotion but rather on attraction.
The Traditions are founded on anonymity and remind members to prioritize principles before personalities.
The highest authority is the loving God, and His expression can come in the conscience of the group. The heads are His entrusted helpers and will not exercise power.
The 12 steps
The belief that a Power beyond them could help return sanity to those struggling.
All chose to give their lives plus will to God's care as they understand Him.
They made brave and a searching inventory of themselves.
They are acknowledged to themselves, God, and other beings the precise nature of their unjustness.
Members admitted to being powerless in overcoming alcohol and that their endurance are uncontrollable.
Begs God to eliminate the weaknesses in them.
They are entirely prepared for God's removal of these defected characters.
Made a record of those they exploited and are prepared to make up to them.
Making amends to them directly unless doing that will harm them or others.
Keep taking personal inventory and admit any wrongdoing as soon as it happens.
Seek through praying and meditating to better their conscious communication with God, pray for the wisdom of His desire and the ability to carry out His will.
With the spiritual knowledge of these steps, AA tries to relay its message to alcoholics and exercise them in all their affairs.
Effectiveness of AA
The Big Book quote a success rate of 50%. 25% remained sober after backsliding. The data is not partial to measure the rates since AA itself provides the data, and most members chose to maintain anonymity or didn't want to accept a relapse. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), nearly 10% of those participating in the recovery program have successful long-term recovery. ASAM also claims that in their first year, 40% of the members drop out, therefore, changing the attendance. AA reported in 2014 that out of 6000 members participating in a study, 27% of them stayed sober for a year. 24% of them maintained abstinence for up to 5 years, and 13% remained up to a decade. 14% were abstinent for 10 to 20b years, and rest remained sober for over 20 years.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) researched those people who struggle with drunkenness. They found out that those who were treated formally and went to AA groups stood a greater likelihood of achieving sobriety than the ones who just had conventional approach. NIAAA determined that professional treatment and community-based groups are strongly connected. The resources will result in a more effective approach to curbing AUD.
References
The American Society of Addiction Medicine. (2015). The Relevance of Twelve-Step Recovery in 21st Century Addiction Medicine.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2011). The Role of Mutual-Help Groups in Extending the Framework of Treatment. Alcohol Research & Health, 33(4).
Alcoholics Anonymous. AA Near You. October 2016. http://www.aa.org/
Galbicsek, C. (2019, July 24). Alcoholics Anonymous - A Support Group For Alcoholism. Retrieved December 3, 2019, from https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/support/alcoholics-anonymous/.
Alcoholics Anonymous. (2001). Big Book Fourth Edition. October 2016. http://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/alcoholics-anonymous
