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AA History
Established by Bill Wilson and physician Bob Smith (both recovering
alcoholics) in 1935, alcoholics Anonymous started as the community-based
society to promote abstinence for additional recovering alcoholics. These
two men produced the 12 steps to determine AA meetings, and subsequently
introduced the 12 traditions to help further the success of those recovering
alcoholics. The structure itself was established by recovering alcoholics and
this model has proven to be successful still today. Every person involved in
AA has been through the program earlier, cultivating the specific impression
of community and understanding among those recovering addicts. Attendees
of the AA fellowship would be welcomed into this group. Communication
among newcomer attendees is encouraged but not encouraged. AA
understands some people may not seem comfortable sharing personal
information during their initial meeting. As time moves on, most people
receive healing and therapy through the openly honest discussions these
meetings offer. It is important that all members are able to share their
experiences and feelings freely without fear of being judged or stigmatized.
The AA fellowship also encourages individuals who have experienced a
similar experience to share their stories of recovery with others. In addition,
the AA fellowship provides opportunities for individuals to meet other
individuals who have been affected by alcohol abuse.
My Experience of AA
Initially, I was really afraid and apprehensive to go to the Alcoholics
Anonymous (AA ) gathering. I wasn’t sure what to expect and they only
experience I have always actually known what happened within these
gathering is from what I have seen on TV. I decided to only take one night
and I was really surprised to see how this meeting was made up. I felt a bit
awkward at first but I needed to make a better education so I was good and
public even as everyone else was.
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Effectiveness of this model
Self-help groups will balance and expand the results of professional
care. The most prominent self-help groups represent those associated with
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA ) , Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine
Anonymous (CA ) , all of which exist based on the 12-step model. Most drug
dependency treatment programs encourage patients to participate in self-
help group therapy within and after formal treatment. These groups will
be especially useful during recovery, providing an added structure of
community-level social support to help people attain and sustain self-
control from substance use and other good lifestyle behaviors over the
course of a lifetime.
References
