For us sobriety must always be our first concern. We are not reformers and we are not allied with any group, cause, religious denomination or ethnic background. We avoid imposing our viewpoint on problem drinking on others, even if asked. Learn about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a self-help fellowship for people with current or past alcohol use problems.
- But only those with a drinking problem may attend closed meetings or become AA members.
- Women for Sobriety (WFS) is the first national organization to focus specifically on the needs of alcoholic women.
- Through AA we have learned a number of things about alcoholism and about ourselves.
- The latter manifests through peer-to-peer sponsorship of alcoholics, forming groups and holding meetings, as well as through outreaches in hospitals, prisons and other institutions.
- Kelly led a 2020 analysis that reviewed the scientific evidence of AA’s effectiveness across 35 studies — involving the work of 145 scientists and the outcomes of 10,080 participants.
- Given the number of individuals struggling with or at risk for an AUD, it is understandable that AA has grown to what it is today—an organization with more than 115,000 groups worldwide.
What Are the 12 Steps of AA?
We have learned that we must live without it to live normal, happy lives.
Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)
- Still, the results of a 2018 study suggest that SMART might be just as effective as 12-step groups.
- We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
- However, closed meetings are only available to its members.
- AAC can help you learn more about inpatient and outpatient treatment programs or alcohol support groups other than AA.
Published in 1939, the AA Big Book contains 11 chapters that include personal stories and spiritual insights. A 2020 review looked at 27 studies involving a total of 10,565 participants and noted that A.A. And other twelve-step programs are effective for increasing abstinence. The authors also reported that these programs appear to be as effective as other alcohol treatment methods.
Personal Stories
- By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.
- The only way to know for sure whether A.A.
- Alcoholics Anonymous offers two types of meetings—open and closed meetings.
- While the chip system is common, it is not universally adopted across all AA groups.
For beginners, AA can be a useful introduction to support groups. However, if you attend a few sessions and feel like it’s not for you, there are other peer group options for you to explore. AA meetings are free to attend and regularly held in community spaces, such as churches and treatment centers. Not everyone who joins a mutual help group has the same goal. Perhaps you simply want to reduce your drinking rather than achieve lifelong abstinence.
Statistics on Alcohol Use and Addiction
Meetings aren’t based on a specific religion, they do include spiritual aspects. For some, these aspects of the program can be a stumbling block. Often, the next step is to read a passage from the Big Book and reinforcement about the importance of member privacy and anonymity. Meetings typically close with a prayer, moment of silence, recitation of the Responsibility Statement, or by what does aa stand for alcohol reading a section of another A.A. There are no other requirements to join this fellowship and attend a meeting. Group consisted of only Bill, Dr. Bob, and a patient at an Akron hospital.
- With more than 123,000 groups across 180 countries worldwide, the AA model is free and open to the public.
- We work through the offer of help and suggestion only.
- Discover how these groups provide hope, strength, and encouragement on the road to sobriety.
- The meetings might be online or in person, and a group facilitator often guides participants through discussions or activities.
- Hearing the experiences of others may reduce any sense of shame you’re feeling and enhance your self-efficacy or self-belief.
- The consequences of our alcoholic drinking (and thinking) have also varied.
- You can also contact local community centers, churches, or healthcare facilities for more information on AA and other 12-Step meetings near you.
What Is Alcoholics Anonymous?
We in AA are men and women who have discovered, and admitted, that we cannot control alcohol. We have learned that we must live without it if we are to avoid disaster for ourselves and those close to us. This number will connect you with your local AA office or phone service. AA is not a religious organisation nor is it affiliated with any religious body. It welcomes members of all religions, agnostics and atheists alike.