Addiction Rehab Help

 

Bill Wilson, an alcoholic whose disease nearly and completely ruined his life, founded alcoholics Anonymous in 1935. Inspired by an old pal he used to drink with who had since found sobriety through spiritual awakening, he founded AA slowly with a handful of members. The premise behind the group was to help alcoholics stay sober by sharing their experiences with other alcoholics and by lending support to one another. Today, there are chapters of AA all over the world with upwards of 2 million members. The big question: Is Alcoholics Anonymous a viable outpatient program for alcohol addiction treatment? The answers may vary.

 

AA is a self-supporting non-charitable organization that relies solely on donations from active members. Those taking the lead in each chapter are volunteers who are actually encouraged to remain sober by engaging in the assistance of helping others. These men and women are not trained professionals. Consequently it isn’t unreasonable to wonder whether a group being lead by others who are suffering from the same affliction can really be effective. One might conclude it’s like the blind leading the blind.

 

Measuring the effectiveness of AA is difficult because the meetings are “anonymous” and studies on attendees have been sketchy at best. There is a comfort and strength in being among others who share the same struggles, triggers, and ultimately the goal of staying sober—come what may.

 

As an alcohol addiction treatment option, AA appeals to those who are trying to put their lives back together, but still need to function at work and at home. Those who act as sponsors have been sober for at least one year and agree to be at the beck and call of newer members who are trying to get over the initial hump of sobriety, or detox. Of course a relapse can occur at any time no matter how long a person has remained in a state of sobriety.

 

Studies that have been conducted do show a correlation between the AA program and abstinence from alcohol. Participation is voluntary and free, which makes this particular alcohol addiction treatment attractive for those who, though not full blown alcoholics in the strictest sense, may need to get a handle on their drinking habits. However the phrase “My name is ________ and I am an alcoholic” has to be said before speaking in an A.A. meeting, also you have to agree that “Alcoholism is a disease and that you are powerless over your addiction”. Many in house rehabilitation centers do not believe that you are powerless over anything in your life. In most cases these in house alcohol rehabilitation centers run much higher success rates than any outpatient program could offer. However;

the twelve steps developed for AA encourages users to accept accountability for their actions and make amends to loved ones they may have hurt when they were using. The spiritual nature of the program is also of great comfort to many.

 

If you or someone you know needs to find encouragement and support for a drinking problem, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are conducted in virtually every city in the nation and the program is a free, viable, outpatient resource for recovering alcoholics.

 

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