Alcoholics Anonymous is a life changing program that treats the disease of alcoholism. The program is based on the bestselling book called Alcoholics Anonymous (and several other contributing works) that outlines what alcoholism is, and a proven system to treat alcoholism through daily meetings, reading, and introspection. Many people like Tim who I interviewed, have graduated the program by completing the 12 steps, but continue to come to help other people, and to help maintain their personal sobriety. By hearing other people’s stories, they also gain a greater perspective on how other people might view their own personal stories. People who have graduated the program often listen more than they speak, because they try to focus on those who need help currently. The meetings begin monotonous for graduates (why many people come in late), but any topic can be brought to the floor when the discussion is opened. The best meetings are the ones where someone is having internal turmoil and the group can really discuss a sensitive topic around alcohol. After the meetings people like Tim perform duties as sponsors to help other people who are in the program. As a sponsor you provide moral support, and help alcoholics understand how to perform the steps. The steps are very specific and must be committed to entirely without any lapses in sobriety. Although Alcoholics Anonymous has enormous internal support, there is still a strong division between people who believe in intervention and those that do not. The program talks about working together, and many members believe that you cannot force someone to work the program who does not want to. This is contrasted by programs that do just that and seem to go against the structure and purpose of AA to force people into sobriety. Although there is this strong conflict, everyone gets strong support from the group when they are there even if they are being forced to attend based on court orders. In the end there are other ways to stop drinking, but the strong community and planned out system are the best approaches to sobriety for many people around the world.
Pictures from:
“The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse”. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 July 2017. https://www.centeronaddiction.org/.