Everything You Need to Know About Alcoholics Anonymous

Everything You Need to Know About Alcoholics Anonymous : Alcoholism is widely recognized as one of the world’s oldest disorders. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol intake causes death relatively early in life, and alcohol is responsible for 5.1 percent of worldwide sickness and damage.

If you believe you are having problems with your drinking or that it has become a source of concern for you or those around you, you may be interested in learning more about Alcoholics Anonymous and its approach to recovery. We’ve prepared a quick guide from havenhouserecovery.com to help you know everything about Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcoholics Anonymous: What It’s About and What It Has to Offer

Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as “AA,” is a worldwide fellowship of individuals with drinking issues. AA is a nonprofessional, multicultural, autonomous, apolitical organization located practically anywhere in the world. While membership is available to anybody, regardless of age or educational level, all members must have one thing in common: a desire to stop drinking.

Rather than being led by a group of people, AA is managed by ex-alcoholics who want to help others. According to a 2014 AA membership poll, 27 percent of AA members have achieved sobriety in less than a year. It continues to expand globally, with over 100,000 groups and over 2 million members.

Alcoholics Anonymous: A Brief History

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, by fellow recovering addicts Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith as a community-based fellowship focused on encouraging sobriety among recovered alcoholics. The fellowship was built on the ideals of the Oxford Organization, a Christian-based self-help group.

Wilson met Dr. Robert Smith, who was struggling to stay sober after flying to Akron, Ohio. Dr. Smith worked with Wilson for 30 days before he quit drinking on June 10, 1935. On the same day, AA. celebrates its formal anniversary globally.

After facing criticism for their tactics following the Oxford Group, the couple left the group and founded AA. Although they kept some aspects of the Oxford Group’s program, such as facilitating informal gatherings and following a series of recovery steps, they changed their program. They came up with a new approach that focuses on spiritual principles in helping alcoholics recover from addiction without being affiliated with a religion. Today, the organization is a world-renowned support group for millions of individuals worldwide.

What Happens in an AA Meeting?

Attending an AA meeting may be intimidating, mainly if you are a new member. Meetings allow individuals to step outside of their comfort zone and discuss their troubles with strangers dealing with similar issues.

Fortunately, the entire group is regarded as a haven, as each AA participant may genuinely understand how you feel. Alcoholics Anonymous fosters a distinct feeling of community centered on understanding recovering addicts and assisting them in coping with the problems they face along the way.

Each attendance will be greeted at the outset of each meeting, and the topic of discussion will be introduced. Individuals are invited to share their experiences with alcoholism and how it has affected them and their loved ones. They may opt to share their experiences, comment on what other participants are saying, or offer advice to others. The entire scenario allows people to get fresh viewpoints and establish new acquaintances.

Since many members, particularly newcomers, may be hesitant to share personal information during their first visit, AA thinks that in the long term, everyone may find healing and treatment via open and honest conversations.

A Reminder About Closed vs. Open Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings can be either closed or open meetings. During a closed AA meeting, only recovered addicts — or those interested in learning more about conquering their addiction — are permitted to attend the meeting. Open meetings, on the other hand, include friends, spouses, and family members.

Closed meetings guarantee privacy, but open meetings provide social interaction and support. Choosing which path to choose is entirely dependent on your level of comfort.

The 12 Steps of AA

The 12 Steps are a collection of spiritual ideals. When followed as a way of life, these stages can help a recovering alcoholic overcome their addiction to alcohol and develop the clarity needed to live a clean life.

These phases are frequently presented in an inpatient environment and used in aftercare treatment programs. They apply to a wide range of situations, both positive and negative.

The 12 Traditions of AA.

The 12 traditions explain the life that revolves around the fellowship and the basis of the organization. The traditions describe how Alcoholics Anonymous maintains its unity and how it lives, grows, and interacts with the outside world. Members can keep AA going because these traditions provide a haven for them to share their stories and get support for their alcoholism.

Conclusion

You are probably correct if you believe there is an issue with too much drinking. Going to a meeting has no downside if it means perhaps sparing you from years of sorrow caused by your addiction. There is almost certainly an AA group close to where you live. Most organizations meet on a regular basis, so attend sooner rather than later. Decide whether you want to attend a closed or open meeting and where you want to meet, and then look for one on the Alcoholics Anonymous website. Remember that setting aside denial and surrendering to admission is a strong strategy and a significant step towards a successful recovery.