Jun 12
7
AA-Alcoholics Anonymous Review
What is Alcoholics Anonymous, and does it really do any good? I hear people say it’s a waste of my time, that only deadbeats and homeless people go to AA. Are they right?
Let’s begin with what AA is. AlcoholicsAnonymous is a loosely structured group of people who get together anywhere from once a week to multiple times a day, in order to give and receive help for substance abuse recovery. There is no membership fee, no obligation to contribute, nor do you have to speak in any part of these social gatherings. You don’t get penalized if you skip a meeting or even stop going. It’s all about you; you are the one who has to accept responsibility for your choices. AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Bob Smith, now referred to as ‘Bill W.’ and ‘Dr. Bob.’ The primary purpose in its formation was “to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.” In 1946, the 12 Step program was introduced and is followed to this day.
But is AA a waste of time, as some say? Is it displayed by the fact that 64% of people who join AA drop out in their first year. Does this mean it’s a general failure because it leads to people quitting? No, it could just mean that they weren’t ready for recovery at that time, or perhaps they took another route that fit their needs better…or decided against recovery unexpectedly. Anything could happen in difficult times. The bigger question is, does AA actually help or give back to the community? Thinking it through logically, the answer is clear. This group of noble people—“helpers of the general community” if you will—are well-known and popular, even after almost 80 years, and the best part is: that many people say it saved their lives. These are their testimonies.
Can you recover from alcoholism by yourself? Few people do. My guess is probably 1 in a 1000, being conservative. Recovery from addiction, of any sort, is tough; and doing it alone is a challenge beyond belief. Even families of addicts have difficulty. On the other hand, when you have a group of people who join together for the same reasons—in desperate times—then as a result, they feel the connection between each other; feeling empathy and compassion, and ultimately understanding that their issues are other peoples’ issues as well. There is connection. In this camaraderie, you can be yourself, get help, and help others to get through tough spots. In helping them, you generally help yourself as well, maybe even more than if others help you.
Who attends AA? Doctors. Lawyers. Engineers. Business people. Moms. Teachers. “Normal” people who have similar problems. Being an alcoholic doesn’t mean you’re dirt. It means you suffer from addiction, and need help. And by asking for help at an AA meeting, you will be shocked at the offerings.
Does AA work? Is it worth trying? Only you can answer these questions. But if you never go to a meeting, you’ll never know. Give it a shot. It can save people, a few lives at a time.
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