Abstract The paper discusses how Alcoholics Anonymous has been an organization that has provided a beginning for many alcoholics to end their abuse of alcohol. The paper describes how across the country there are hundreds of branches where individuals can become members merely because they have a desire to stop drinking. Although each website visited may present the Alcoholics Anonymous Program in varying ways, the foundation of each program is the same.
From the Paper "Behavioral Medicine Associates (n.d.) contends that locating an initial AA meeting that will serve the needs of the individual can be a difficult task. This is because there are a number of different types of meetings, as well as both open and closed meetings ("Your"). Open meetings refer to initial AA meetings where alcoholics, family and friends may be allowed to enter. Closed meetings are strictly for members of AA."
Abstract This paper explains that there are benefits and disadvantages for both full and anonymous disclosure, depending on the specific situation. The author points out that disclosure involves certain exclusions and exemptions from the usual principle of confidentiality. The paper relates that, without full disclosure, a person may never obtain the help he need and other individuals may be placed at risk; therefore, full disclosure can be therapeutic and leads to therapy and healing. The author also stresses that anonymous disclosure can be more appropriate because of culture and stigma; however, the risks and dangers can outweigh the benefits. The paper underscores that debate between the use of full or anonymous disclosure requires a careful risk-benefits analysis.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Full Disclosure versus Anonymous Disclosure
HIV and Disclosure
Child Abuse and Disclosure
From the Paper "The immediate goals then are to have the person use safe sex and ensure that the partner is tested. If the person does not agree to make full disclosure, then this is a situation where the health care provider is exempt from normal principles of confidentiality. The reason is that public health is at risk and other people's lives are being endangered. The process to be followed is to attempt to influence the person to disclose; if attempts at influence fail, then notify the authorities; and, if there is no action on the art of authorities, inform the endangered person of the issue."
This paper discusses Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization created in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith for every person who is in need of help to quit drinking.
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."
Abstract This essay outlines the need for amendments in current British law regarding the anonymity of parties involved in sexual offense cases. The author of the paper argues that the law should be amended to either grant anonymity to the defendant and the complainant, or that neither the complainant nor the accused should have rights to anonymity.
From the Paper "Steady streams of men are accused and subsequently shown to be innocent, yet their reputations and careers have nevertheless been ruined. Celebrities who have been named and subsequently cleared of sex crimes are among the most ardent campaigners for anonymity: Neil and Christine Hamilton have been particularly vocal on the anonymity issue since they were arrested and questioned over the false sexual assault claims of Nadine Milroy-Sloan, in August 2001 Former MP Neil Hamilton promised he would leave no stone unturned in his quest to discourage an epidemic of false sex offence allegations."
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."
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 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)."
This paper discusses Alcoholics Anonymous and its 12-Step Program and analyzes the relative value of such self-help programs and their usefulness to the nurse in planning client care.
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."
Abstract This paper investigates community resources that address addictions or addictive behavior. The paper focuses on alcoholism and the community resources known as Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. A definition of alcoholism and drug abuse is presented. The paper discusses various sources of literature on community programs that address the addictive behavior.
From the Paper "The official website of alcoholics anonymous explains that the organization does not engage in or sponsor research (Information on Alcoholics Anonymous, n.d.). In addition, the organization does not make medical or psychological diagnoses (Information on Alcoholics Anonymous, n.d.) . The organization does not provide hospitalization or other forms of in patient treatment(Information on Alcoholics Anonymous, n.d.). The program does not keep attendance records or try to keep track of members(Information on Alcoholics Anonymous, n.d.). For this reason, the success rate of alcoholics anonymous is virtually unknown. There have been independent investigation on the estimated success rate of the program but because members are free to come and go as they please there is no evidence to support the findings of independent inquiries."
Abstract This paper outlines the experiences and observations of the writer during attendance at three 12-Step self-help groups: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a Cocaine Users Anonymous (CA) and a Shoppers Anonymous (SA) group. The 12-step abstinence based method pioneered by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the most widely used form of addiction treatment. It describes the groups, their demographics, their activities, the relations of these activities to the course and the reactions of the writer.
From the Paper "Interestingly, several members stated that this was their second, third, or even fourth time of being "in" AA. As Miller (1995) has commented, many individuals who participate in AA and other 12-Step groups drop in and out of attendance and membership, remaining "clean and sober" for a period of time and then relapsing into alcohol use or other addictive behaviors. This group was no exception; five people with whom I spoke said they had earned their ?100 day chips? only to relapse and begin all over again. Most members stated that they attended an average of 3 meetings per week, but it was recommended that a daily meeting was associated with an enhanced potential for remaining ?clean and sober.? "
Abstract The paper explains the goings-on in the meetings of two support groups - Alcoholics Anonymous and Overeaters Anonymous. The author of the paper attended both meetings and provides a discussion on the procedures of each one. He also compares the similarities and differences between the groups and discusses the people who attend these meetings.
From the Paper "Again, personal vignette is the focal point of the meeting. Several people share their stories of compulsive overeating and in some cases members share with the group that they are bulimic. I suddenly become hyper-conscious that there are no cookies served here as there were in the AA meeting. My stomach growls and I hope nobody heard; eating is no longer a simple task to do without thinking. These people have turned to food as a way of coping with life's problems; it is their drug of choice. As with the AA members, compulsive overeaters find immense solace in listening to the stories of others and sharing their own. In finding that they are not alone, the members can unburden themselves, release their shame. I come to the conclusion that these self-help groups, fuelled by the caring and concern of perfect strangers, are probably more helpful than psychotherapy."
Abstract Th is paper explains that the twelve steps was created by Narcotics Anonymous to help addicts deal with their problems. (Narcotics Anonymous California).
Abstract This paper is in the form of a letter from an anonymous parent to their local congressman arguing for tougher laws prohibiting teacher-student sex. It is an opinion piece which lays out a clear and logical argument that is supported by research and evidence from newspaper and on-line articles about disastrous cases of teacher-student sex.
From the Paper "Every day in this country, from the biggest cities to the smallest towns, our sons and daughters are being raped. Their assailants are not using brute force or employing weapons to get them to submit. They don't have to - for these criminals are already in a special position of power and authority over our children - they are their teachers. Entrusted by our community to educate, mentor, coach, and guide our children, some of these individuals misuse that trust for their own immoral and illegal ends. They are predators, who engage in illegal sexual acts with our children. Consent is not the issue here; with the crime of statutory rape it is the age difference and adult vs. minor distinction that lies at issue. This crime has devastating emotional and psychological effects on its victims and the community as a whole. There is also a financial burden on the community, specifically with regard to our public school systems. This crime can no longer to continue to go on unabated and unchecked. You must act now to introduce and pass legislation that will amend current statutory rape laws to include a specific proviso banning teacher - student sex. This is a crime that is akin to child molestation, one of our most abhorred crimes, and it should be treated as such. The penalties for teacher-student statutory rape should be harsh enough to send a strong message to these criminals that such acts will not be tolerated in our society any longer."
Abstract This paper examines attention-attracting styles in poetry, primarily open form poetry. It uses the anonymous poem: "What a wonderful bird the frog are,? to highlight the characteristics of open form poetry explains the effect that this style of poetry has on the reader. It also touches on other attention-attracting devices, such as startling and repetition.
From the Paper "Artists and writers utilize all manner of devices to attract their readers? attentions. Vladimir Nabokov, in his tome ?Pale Fire,? framed a novel in the form of a poem and its associated criticism. Nabokov publically stated that he attempted absolute mediocrity in writing the poem ?Pale Fire,? but this only showcases the unerring genius in the remainder of the work -- and as some critics would have it, genius in the poem itself despite Nabokov's own disclaimer. Thomas Pynchon, in his epic ?Gravity's Rainbow,? used all manner of attention-getting including various songs that the reader automatically sets to music in her head."
This paper discusses the Middle-English romantic poem "Octavian" (Anonymous) and examines how the poem differs from others of the period and how Middle-English romance differs from other periods & genres.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 2 sources, 1991, $ 47.95
From the Paper "The Middle-English romance "Octavian" (Anonymous) tells a story about the Emperor Octavian and how he and his queen longed for an heir to the throne. The poem shows a number of elements common in the Middle English romance, but includes elements which set it apart. The length of the poem is one of the latter elements, for it is longer than the average. One reason for this is the complexity of the story and the fact that instead of telling only one story based on one incident, the story in "Octavian" involves more than one connected story.
... some of the ways "Octavian" differs from other Middle English romances beginning with the development of the plot. He notes that the medieval romance is a literary form with a wide range of subject matter, wider in English than in French, with stories dominated by the interaction of love and chiva
