Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Report

Twelve step programs are commonly used in drug and alcohol treatment. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous both utilize the twelve steps, along with many other treatment centers. The twelve steps are used as a tool to stay sober and overcome addictions to substance abuse. The first step involves admitting one is powerless over the drug. It also involves admitting that due to the drug, one is no longer in control of his or her life. The second step is coming to the belief that there is a greater power that can restore one to sanity. The greater power can be anything from God to a higher power such as nature. The third step is making the decision to turn one’s will and life over to the higher power. This is when an individual fully commits oneself to the belief in something greater than him or her self. The fourth step is a moral inventory of oneself. Many individuals make a list of all the wrongs he or she has done while in the fourth step. (Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, 1981)

In the 1940s, numerous efforts to inaugurate self-help groups for substance abusers were made throughout America, but failure prevailed (NAWS 1998, Stone 1997). The self-help concept is related directly with the individual’s sense of responsibility (Raftopoulos and Flora, 2011). Kelly and Myers noted studies of private substance use disorder treatment centers that revealed that 90% based their treatment on the 12-Step principles, thus aftercare like AA/ NA are warranted to achieve ongoing recovery (Nowinski, Baker and Carroll, 1995). Narcotics Anonymous like AA, is a free self-help group with voluntary membership that supports life-long recovery for those who desire abstinence (NAWS, 2008). Many hospitals, behavioral health centers, and criminal justice institutions refer those in need to NA because of the high rate of relapse occurring after formal treatment (Gossop, Stewart, and Marsden, 2007). Gossop et al. (2007) claims that NA helps the addict sustain the goals accomplished during treatment and lessens relapse, especially after residential treatment. Many studies of 12-step programs present an increased rate of abstinence, reduction of use, and psychological health outcomes (Gossop et at. 2007). Gossop and colleagues (2007) found that through a 5-year follow-up period those attending NA/AA after treatment were more likely to be abstinent from opiates. Gossop reports that those who attended

In order to recover from the craving, the victim has to overcome not only various social stigmas of an addiction, but also their own psychological barriers. The very famous twelve steps which are part of rehabilitation program of Anonymous Alcoholics group begin with the statement that

Twelve Step programs have been helping people for more than seventy years ("Twelve Step History," 2011). The durability of the program proves its efficacy in addressing the underlying problems and symptoms of addiction. Although the Twelve Step program began with Alcoholics Anonymous, the system has expanded to include and embrace all other addictions from overeating to gambling. Narcotics Anonymous is the Twelve Step group for persons who have an addiction to drugs. It started in the 1940s as a response to the growing number of chemically addicted persons who did not have a comorbid addiction to alcohol ("Narcotics Anonymous," 2012). According to Peyrot (1985), Narcotics Anonymous is the oldest and largest self-help group for substance abusers. The program exists worldwide, and serves a diverse population. One of the key reasons why Narcotics Anonymous should be included in any treatment repertoire is that the group serves multiple functions, serving as "underground social movement and major treatment modality for drug abusers," (Pevrot, 1985, p. 1509).

Definition: Substance abuse is where you attain and excessive amount of an addictive substance usually drugs or alcohol. It causes an interruption in your life for example, your personality, social, and psychologic development. The 12 Step Program is a treatment program that helps patients stop using drugs or alcohol by utilizing community groups, AA meetings, therapy, and etcetera. It also helps you to reach your goals one step at a time (Muck et al., 2001).

For years, many new and innovative recovery options have sprouted up in response to the growing population of addicts in America. Although each individual program has the same ultimate goal, they each take a different approach. The specific approach taken by each program is what can make or break the success of recovery for an addict. The most popular of these programs are twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. However, twelve-step programs are not the only options available. Despite their popularity, twelve-step programs lack the personal qualities that some secular programs offer. What's more is that these programs do not cater to individual needs and differences, therefore

Members of 12-Step Programs work those steps, which involves admitting one is powerless over one's addiction, recognizing a greater power, examining past errors, making amends for these errors, learning to live a new life with a new code of behavior, and helping others with the same afflictions.

The meeting I attended was held in Millersville University at Lehr Hall at 9:30 Am. I attended the meeting alone and was initially very hesitant and uncomfortable with the idea. At the beginning not unexpected occurred really happened. It appeared to be a very informal meeting that everyone seemed to already be acquainted. All the members directed each other by name and I was welcomed by, what seemed to be, a regular attendee as well as a new member. I sat down and initiated conversation with the member next to me. She informed me that she goes to multiple meetings and this was her first time at the specific location. She asked me of my major and other information. A member of the group, who seemed to be the

Alcoholism is as prevalent in my family, as blood is in our veins. When previously asked to observe 12-step groups, I ritualistically flocked to Alcoholics Anonymous, without consideration of the possibility that other groups had any potential to make an impact on me. I always pride myself in my ability to identify as an individual that is not ensnared in alcoholism, but unfortunately am an individual that was highly tormented by alcoholism. Through observation of the group and how it processed, as well as identifying how I felt as a new attendee, I was able to understand why self-help, support groups are so vital for individuals in recovery. I finally realized, I too am in recovery.

I have personally designed a 12 Step Program to help with addiction. Our main goals are to help the individuals re-connect with themselves, and help them gain the understanding needed to cope with everyday stress in a healthy way.

The Twelve Step programme, first formulated by Alcoholics Anonymous but now widely applied to other addictions, is the essential long-term treatment. It helps to maintain abstinence and peace of mind in spite of unsolved problems. It leads towards happy and mutually fulfilling relationships, creativity, spontaneity and enthusiasm. These are the building blocks of a good life. Trying to achieve those beautiful end results without the discipline of a daily Twelve Step programme would be as shaky as building a house on quicksand or a bog.

There are various treatment options available to aid individuals with substance problems. Such methods include counseling, both inpatient and/or outpatient that can be done individually or in a group setting. Long-term residential treatment consists of 24-hour treatment, where the individual lives at the facility. Out-patient treatment can be described as a less intensive treatment program, that does not cost as much as long-term residential treatment and is useful for people who have an occupation or other commitments that they cannot neglect for a period of time (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2012). As well as, there are 12-Step Programs that are group based. Some common 12-Step programs include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Al-Anon, which is for friends and families of alcoholics (The Addiction Recovery Guide, 2015). A study conducted by Kelly, Stout, and Slaymaker, looked at the effectiveness of 12-step programs starting with intake, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Participants were emerging adults so varied between 18-24 years of age. 303 participants were included in the study. They were able to gather that 36% of individuals attended meetings prior to treatment, rose to 89% by 3 months, 82% continued to attend at 6 months, and declined to 76% by 12 months. Also, participants attended approximately 3 meetings per a week. How often someone attended 12-step meetings did not impact effectiveness compared to involvement at the meetings

Instead of thinking of sobriety as saying that someone will never drink again, emphasis is placed on taking smaller steps alongside other people who are also recovering. Recovery is seen as a life-long process, taken “one day at a time” (Wormer, 57). Forgiveness is stressed; both self-forgiveness and forgiving others. Admission of faults along with making amends is encouraged. Reminding the alcoholic that no one is perfect is an important part of treatment (Cheever, 255). These behavioral goals help remind alcoholics of the human component of the condition and the importance of continuing to try. Doing so eventually leads to success.

Although, this program follows the twelve step program of Alcohol Anonymous, its primary outlook is to provide psychological and emotional support to each member through self-contributions and the ability to help others food addicts to achieve abstinence. It is not affiliated with any other diet or weight loss programs, treatment facilities or religious organizations. With that said, the twelve steps consist of admittance, believing, decision, searching, acceptance, readiness, humbling, changes, forgiveness, persistence, knowledge, and practice. Each of these steps is a psychological approach that each member must go through to overcome their addiction to food. There is no avoidance of a step.

Currently addiction recovery rates are really low which the Scottsdale Recovery Center plan to substantially increase. The center recognizes the change needed when alcohol and drugs are used for dependence. When dependence sets in, alcohol takes over the central role in someone’s life and they usually end up giving up important activities and relationships because of