Alcoholics Anonymous and Its 12-Step Program

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that AA has grown to be the single most influential organization in history that specializes in helping alcoholics recover from alcoholism; there are over 1 million alcoholic members in different groups in the United States and other parts of the world. The author experienced an AA meeting, which she thought was positive and hopeful because many people had been through very difficult times and needed the support and acceptance of the other people in the room. The paper concludes that learning more about AA gives, not only a deeper understanding of what works in treating addiction, but also additional insight into the inner workings of the addicted mind.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The History of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12-Step Program
Some Reasons for Success
Some Reasons for Failure
Significant Meeting Events
Thoughts and Feelings
Incorporating the Knowledge

From the Paper:

"There were several significant events at the AA meeting. It is quite common knowledge that members introduce themselves, but it is another thing to see the people with the courage to stand up and say, "My name is Bud and I'm a grateful recovering alcoholic." Several people told their personal stories, which also took great courage. Later, I found they called these stories drunkalogs, and some of them were quite depressing and eye opening, like the mother who used to be so drunk when her children came home from school that they had to make their own dinner, and they were embarrassed to bring friends over to the house."

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