Abstract
This paper discusses Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and their twelve step program. The paper examines the different opinions of Neil J. Carr and Vince Fox who express different opinions about the effectiveness of Alcoholics Anonymous. The paper discusses the pros and cons of each of their points of view and then briefly looks at other organizations that mirror AA's beliefs.

From the Paper
"To be more specific, many AA meetings are mainly filled with men who are in the age bracket between 35-75 years old. Alcoholics were once viewed as uneducated, poor, old men. As we learn more about the disease we find out that alcohol affects every age, religion, sex, and race - it does not discriminate. You can not tell that a person is an alcoholic by looking at them. A thirty year old female doctor could be an alcoholic. If a person can get help by relating to someone of their own age, sex and religion, then it should be used to help them with any situation and that if breaking from the norms of AA to do this, and then it should be done. Alcoholism is cunning, baffling and powerful and it is very sad to watch anyone fall to this dreaded disease."

Tags:12 steps, Blue Book, AA

Abstract
This paper provides an insight into Alcoholics Anonymous, an international organization that was formed to help out individuals who have had drinking problems. It discusses how it is an example of a non-profit, non-professional organization, basically an organization that was formed to serve as a medium for individuals and people to have a ?helping hand. It describes its infamous Recovery Program and the Twelve Steps and examines how its success stems not from the organization, but from its members, who contribute their efforts in helping out troubled people deal with their dilemmas and difficulties.

From the Paper
"AA's programs are effective because of two important factors that all humans need in order to properly "psyche" themselves up in trying to absolve and give up drinking alcohol. One is the non- professional environment that the organization gives to its members. The lack of hierarchy within the organization, that is, there is no leaders in each group; responsibility of leadership is found and tasked in every member. Instead of a hierarchy, wherein members are found at the bottom of the spectrum and leaders at the highest spectrum, the AA organization is radially- structured, meaning, there are no leaders in it, but the members are distributed and the circle gets larger as more and more people join or get involved with the organization's programs."

Tags:program, twelve, steps, environment, cognitive, complexity, empathy, AA

Abstract
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."

Tags:drunkalogs, meeting, support, resource, treatment

Abstract
This paper explains that Alcoholics Anonymous promotes the idea that alcoholism is a disease, but some professionals have issues with this concept because they argue that this premise means that a person is not responsible for their own drinking behavior. The author points out that some critics of Alcoholics Anonymous argue that group members are so involved with AA that they have substituted the group for alcohol, but the dependence usually diminishes as the alcoholic finds more self-esteem and has a longer time in sobriety. The paper reviews the now popularized element of Alcoholics Anonymous that sobriety, or any difficult task, must be faced "one day at a time".

From the Paper
"Alcoholics Anonymous was created for every person who finds him or herself in need of help to quit drinking. The premise of AA is that it should be available to everyone and that it should exclude no one. Requesting funding is strictly against the AA guidelines. One of the most important aspects of AA is that group members are asked to tell their story to other members. The feeling that you are not alone is powerful to many alcoholics. Group members share their experiences and give hope to others who can see no way out of their alcoholism. This hope feeds many group members and some who hear it, may find the strength needed to change their life (Smith, 1993). Group therapy is used for many kinds of problems that people encounter and the similarities in situations create a bond between group members."

Tags:group, free, disease, spiritual, twelve-steps

Abstract
This paper uses Alcoholism Anonymous (AA) as an example to explore group techniques in operation. It examines how it is one of the 12-step programs that has become popular for dealing with addictions and other human problems and how there are currently AA meetings in all large cities and in many small towns. Through a combination of personal observations and a literature review, it analyzes the social and group dynamics that make the program so successful.

Outline
Introduction
Personal Observation
Group Dynamics
Minority Groups
Theory in Psychotherapy

From the Paper
"Studies have shown, however, that there is widespread acceptance of, and belief in, AA in minority communities. For example, Caetano (1993) looked at both Hispanic and African-American communities, noting that large majorities of his subjects favored AA affiliation for substance abuse problems. However, Caetano also noted that prevalence estimates varied widely on the extent to which Hispanic clients or African-American clients would actually choose attendance at AA to deal with their substance abuse problems. Caetano indicated that Hispanics were actually more likely than either European-American or African-Americans to choose AA for dealing with their problems. In the AA membership survey itself, in 1996, membership was predominantly white, with only 4 percent of members identified as Hispanic and 5 percent identified as African-American (Alcoholics Anonymous, 1997)."

Tags:psycotherapy, dynamics, minorities, addiction

Abstract
The problem of alcoholism is viewed as a major social problem, one that has an impact not only on the individual affected and not only on his or her family but on society as a whole. Alcoholism has been examined from a number of different perspectives in an attempt to explain its etiology or its consequences

From the Paper
"The problem of alcoholism is viewed as a major social problem, one that has an impact not only on the individual affected and not only on his or her family but on society as a whole. Alcoholism has been examined from a number of different perspectives in an attempt to explain its etiology or its consequences. The prevailing perspective is the medical model, which holds that alcoholism is a disease, which also means that it can be treated through medical means. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an organization that makes use of a theory of self-help to enable alcoholics to take control of their own lives and to learn to change their behavior, following a disease theory of alcoholism. Alcoholics Anonymous stands outside the medical model in that it does not offer a "cure" and indeed holds that the individual will always be an alcoholic. What the alcoholic..."

From the Paper
" Introduction
This research paper begins with a description of an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, which includes individual and group dynamics. Application of theoretical constructs regarding the function of the 12 steps is then discussed.
Meetings & Individual/Group Dynamics
Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings are led by a chair-person, and structured such that different people volunteer and stand before the group and tell their story. The storyteller begins by announcing their name and the fact that they are an alcoholic, then precedes to the story details pertaining to their individual experience of alcoholism. These stories provide both the teller and the audience members, with catharsis and emotional support."

Tags:DRUGS, ALCOHOL

Abstract
This paper describes a meeting of AA that took place last month at 4280 Clairemont Mesa Blvd in San Diego at 12 pm. The description includes a discussion of one of the steps in AA's 12 Step Recovery program as well as the overall impressions of the meeting. The paper concludes with how attending such meetings would be helpful to nurses.

From the Paper
"McGee describes Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) as a worldwide million-member organization that has assisted countless alcoholics to achieve sobriety through a spiritual program of recovery from alcoholism. This paper describes a meeting of AA that took place last month at Clairemont Mesa Blvd in San Diego at ...pm. The description includes a discussion of one of the steps in AA's Step Recovery program as well as the overall impressions of the meeting. The paper concludes with how attending such meetings would be..."

Tags:Alcoholics, Anonymous

Abstract
This paper discusses the Alcoholics Annonymous meeting process, dynamics, and other methods of group therapy. The paper looks at how the group is run and includes an interview with the group leader.

From the Paper
"The following presents a discussion of Alcoholic Anonymous with a focus on this group, how the group is run and the group process as gleaned from an interview with a leader of an AA group. Referral sources and how to locate AA groups for clients are also noted. Further, AA is compared with two methods of group therapy, psychodynamic group therapy and cognitive group therapy. A group leader at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting was interviewed. The group consisted of group..."

Tags:AA, Alcoholics Annonymous, therapy

Abstract
This paper discusses the problems of alcohol abuse and the high rates of alcohol consumption in China. It discusses the introduction of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in China and describes the 12 step program that they utilize. Original sources are included with the paper.

Table of Contents:
Introducing Alcohol Facts and Myths
Contrary to Myths
Romanticizing Alcohol
12-Step Treatment
In China or Any Other Country...
AA Contentions
Appendix

From the Paper
"In time, to address problems relating to alcoholism Alcoholics Anonymous meetings were initiated in China. Although these meetings were run similar to meetings held in the U.S., the psychiatrist who translated AA literature indicated the majority of China reportedly "do not believe in God and therefore use higher power in the third step". While a variety of definitions for higher power exist, it appears AA's spirituality proves more applicable to current Chinese society and philosophy than a Western-style religion. AA's focus and traditions have permitted the acceptance of AA in China, while it helps suffering alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety. (Smith, 2004, p. 3)"

Tags:AA addiction, substance abuse