Bethuel ONLY

Prompt

You have now attended 5 AA meetings. Discuss how spirituality is addressed in these meetings. Some of you are attending AA meetings in which “Higher Power” is directly connected with God, as it is intended to be, and the relationship with God and spirituality are one in the same. Some of you are attending AA meetings in which the spirituality aspect is watered down. Discuss what you have observed and how the members relate to it and incorporate your readings. Include in your thread how you might address these issues in counseling. Conclude by reflecting on how your biblical worldview and/or biblical insights impact the way you answered the prompt for this forum.

1. Utilize a good scripture

2. Discuss how the “Higher Power” is connected to substance abuse

3. Discuss what was observed in the meeting

4. Discuss everything in the prompt

600 words

My older discussion boards about the meetings that I have attended:

WRITE AS I DO AND AS IF YOU’VE ATTENDED THE 5 AA MEETINGS

"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out" (Romans 7:18, English Standard Version). This verse coincides with the first of the 12-steps with acknowledging the control that alcohol has.

According to Hester and Miller (2003), alcoholics are considered different from non-alcoholics, in that they possess a distinct condition that renders them incapable of drinking in moderation. Alcoholism can be caused by a staggering number of different factors including inherent biochemical abnormalities, genetic influences, conflictual emotions, irrational cognitions, social learning processes, family pathology, sociocultural influences, self-regulation failure, and personal choice (p. 4).

The group that this writer selected to attend was an Alcoholic Anonymous meeting at a local church. I arrived early to ensure that I would not be interrupting any ongoing traditions. Upon walking in, I was warmly welcomed by a few participants and the facilitator. I shared my reasons for attending and was surprisingly not treated as an outsider. The beginning of the group consisted of “checking-in”. During this time, everyone goes around the room and discusses their week, triggers, stressors, good/bad news, and whether they were fighting any urges. At this point, most of the members were connected by both listening and offering wonderful tips. After this, there was a brief intermission where many of the participants used the opportunity to obtain a smoke break or a refreshment from the packed table.

Before moving onto the speaker of the day, a participant volunteered to read a biblical passage. Then, the group recited the 12-steps from a large book together. Again, the group appeared to be running smoothly and the participates seemed very connected. However, once the speaker began telling their personal story, it appeared that a few members seem disinterested as evident by them using their phones or talking to each other. This writer believes that at this point of the meeting, the cohesiveness of the group began to dwindle. Group cohesiveness arises when bonds link members of a social group to one another and to the group as a whole. Members of strongly cohesive groups are more inclined to participate readily and to stay with the group (Donovan, 2013).

Practitioners often fall back on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other 12-Step self-help groups because they are readily available and free, but lack conviction that such programs will be effective or that the client will go (Donovan, 2013). Many of the individuals stated that they have been to the same meetings for years like clockwork. From my conversation with participants, many of them go to an AM group at one location and a PM group at another in order to get their needs meet. Some groups are more of an open discussion, while others are merely listening to someone share their story. I observed a community, a support system, and a room full of encouragers. I believe that this is why individuals continue to participate in these treatment programs instead of alternatives.

Within our books, Hester and Miller (2003) detailed information on the evidence for 13 conceptual models of specific alcohol treatment approaches. These approaches were listed in order of strength of evidence for efficacy. Within the graph, Alcoholics Anonymous was far less effective than this writer anticipated. From the study, the researchers found that current practice reflects very little of this knowledge, and instead relies largely on strategies for which scientific support is lacking (Hester & Miller, 2003, p. 14). So, this leaves me with a question: Why If AA and other similar approaches are less effective, then, why do you think practitioners continue to recommend them?

References

Donovan, D. M. (2013). 12-Step Interventions and Mutual Support Programs for Substance Use

Disorders: An Overview. Social Work in Public Health, 28(0), 313–332.

http://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2013.774663

Hester, R. K., & Miller, W. R. (2003). Handbook of alcoholism treatment approaches (3rd ed.).

New York, NY: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: 9780205360642.

Another example:

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSM-IV) measures the variance between substance use and dependency. However, the DSM-IV has terminated the use of the verbiage substance abuse or substance dependence to define individuals suffering with an addiction (Clinton & Scalise, 2013). Instead, the DSM-IV refers to these issues as Substance Use Disorders (SUD). Individuals with substance use disorders consume alcohol, nicotine, prescription drugs, hallucinogens, cocaine, narcotics, and marijuana as a coping mechanism to deal with discomforts (Doweiko, 2015). As stated within the DSM-5, a diagnosis of substance use disorder is grounded on evidence of weakened control, social damage, dangerous behavior, and pharmacological criteria (SAMHSA, 2015).

Our textbook also states that when a substance increases an individual’s feeling of desire or alleviates their worries, then the behavior is more likely to be repeated (Clinton & Scalise, 2013). However, an individual can abuse drugs without immediately becoming dependent. As a result, this writer believes that fully understanding how a substance affects the different aspects of a person’s life is an effective way to distinguish a substance use disorder from non-problematic use. For example, for clients to label themselves as “social users’ can be misleading to their understanding of a SUD diagnosis and most importantly for treatment.

It is essential to understand the stressors, patterns, drinking habits, and a plethora of other factors that have influenced the poor coping skills. For example, medical status, employment and support, drug use, alcohol use, legal status, family/social status, and psychiatric status are a few areas in which further information is needed. Specific instruments are available to help counselors determine the nature and extent of a client’s substance use disorder, whether a client has a mental disorder (also known as co-occuring or dual diagnosis), what types of traumatic experiences a client has had and what the consequences are, and treatment-related factors that impact the client’s response to interventions (Treatment, 2007).

As a result, this writer would administer two assessments following a screening process. SASSI (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory) is an easily administered evidence based psychological self-assessment questionnaire. The ASI (Addiction Severity Index) is a semi-structured interview intended to report several potential issues areas in substance-abusing clients. This writer believes that with this information, the clinician could distinguish a substance use disorder from non-problematic use. This information would influence the intensity, frequency, and duration of treatment.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21, King James Version). Even thousands of years ago, the Bible references several vices that are now considered to have damaging properties, and, that have the ability to fully consume the user. Biblically, bodies are referenced as a temple that needs constant care.

Nevertheless, addiction is a disease that everyone struggles with in some form or fashion. I believe that it would be un-Christian to judge someone just because they are battling their demons differently than recommended. This is my biblical worldview due to seeing firsthand the damage that a substance can have on the individual and anyone around them. With synthetic opioids and other new drugs on the rise, it’s not the question of if we’ll abuse a substance, but the matter of when and if we can overcome it. I believe that we are all susceptible to a SUD; we are all one paycheck, one car accident, or one life crisis away from making a bad decision to cope with the emotional/mental/physical pain. I believe that in having this mindset, I am more conscientious of the medication I take and the habits I form in the face of adversity.