Recovery: The Twelve Step Approach
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is known to be an effective
program for helping alcoholics stay sober. It is based upon using twelve
specific steps to recovery. At meetings, people gather to share what members of
AA call their "experience, strength, and hope." The AA member uses
these twelve steps to stop drinking and to keep from drinking again. The steps
were first used by a small group of men who started AA over 50 years ago. These
men found that when they did certain things, they could stop drinking. Some of
them never drank again.
In AA, an alcoholic is said to be "recovering"
from alcoholism if he is:
- "working" on his twelve step program
Anyone who has a desire to stop drinking is welcome. In most
large cities there are AA meetings daily. In smaller towns there is usually at
least one meeting per week.
Members of AA use their first names only. This is what the
"anonymous" in AA means. Becoming a member is very simple. All you
have to do is decide that the AA Twelve Step program is right for you. There
are no dues or fees. A free-will collection is taken to help pay for the coffee
and the cost of renting the meeting room.
Admitting you are an alcoholic is the "first
step." Other steps talk about how recovering from alcoholism is not
something someone can do alone. AA members rely on each other for support. Most
of them believe in a "higher power." But believing in one kind of God
is not necessary to be a member of AA.
People in AA believe that alcoholism is a disease. They
believe that if you want to stop drinking, it can be accomplished by going to
meetings regularly and using the twelve steps. This system works for millions
of people. Others feel they need to seek medical treatment first. For some,
going through a medical detoxification is necessary to safely stop drinking.
For others, attending outpatient or inpatient treatment, before or along with
AA, works well.
To find out more about AA, look under "Alcoholics
Anonymous" in the white pages, or write: General Service Office, Box 459,
Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163. You may also call the national
number at (212) 870-3400 for information about the group nearest you.
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