The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) states that approximately 10% of the people who become part of a 12-Step program enjoy long-term success in their recovery. 11 Yet, members also tend to drop out at a 40% rate during their first year, according to some studies, causing group attendance to change often. Background: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international organization of recovering alcoholics that offers emotional support through self-help groups and a model of abstinence for people recovering from alcohol dependence, using a 12-step approach. Although it is the most common, AA is not the only 12-step intervention available there are.
Comment on A.A. 20 Questions: 'I remember clearly the first time i saw the A.A. 20 Questions. It was many years before I landed in A.A.
Late one night, for some reason, probably because I was intoxicated, I was alone in a coin-operated laundry. It must have been around two or three o'clock in the morning. I wasn't doing laundry. Perhaps I was just waiting for the spinning to stop! (Yes. I sure could have used some drying out!). I might have wrecked my car. I don't remember.
I got up out of my seat to look at one of the dryers and when I returned to my seat I noticed that there was a yellow card with the A.A. 20 Questions. Someone hypocrite must have snuck in and placed the card in my seat! :-)
After reading the A.A. 20 Questions. I though it be some nitwit or an outfit that wants to do away with alcohol and drinking! . 'Heck! This would mean that everyone in the world is alcoholic!' It must have been a conspiracy, right? Besides -- only a lunatic would be out at 3 am, putting little cards like this on seats at a coin-operated laundry!&qut;
20 Question Test -- Are you alcoholic?
Is it alcohol abuse? Or, just hard drinking? A problem drinker or an alcoholic? Is it alcohol addiction? Is it alcoholism? Are you alcoholic?
Take this 20 question test to help you decide whether or not you are an alcoholic. Then, you can decide if you need help or not.
12 Steps For Alcoholism
The 20 Questions — Alcohol Abuse or Alcoholism?
Take this 20 question test to help you decide whether or not you are an alcoholic.
Answer YES or NO to the following questions.
- 1. Do you lose time from work due to drinking?
YES __ NO __ - 2. Is drinking making your home life unhappy?
YES __ NO __ - 3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
YES __ NO __ - 4. Is your drinking affecting your reputation?
YES __ NO __ - 5. Have you ever felt guilt or remorse after drinking?
YES __ NO __ - 6. Have you ever got into financial difficulties as a result of drinking?
YES __ NO __ - 7. Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking?
YES __ NO __ - 8. Does your drinking make you careless of your family’s welfare?
YES __ NO __ - 9. Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
YES __ NO __ - 10. Do you crave a drink at a definite time?
YES __ NO __ - 11. Do you want a drink the next morning?
YES __ NO __ - 12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
YES __ NO __ - 13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
YES __ NO __ - 14. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
YES __ NO __ - 15. Do you drink to escape from worries or trouble?
YES __ NO __ - 16. Do you drink alone?
YES __ NO __ - 17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of drinking?
YES __ NO __ - 18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?
YES __ NO __ - 19. Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?
YES __ NO __ - 20. Have you ever been to a hospital or institution because of drinking?
YES __ NO __
What's your score?
If you have answered YES to any one of the questions, there is a definite warning that you may be an alcoholic.
If you have answered YES to any two, the chances are that you are an alcoholic.
If you answered YES to three or more, you are definitely an alcoholic.
(It has been said that these test questions were once used at Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Baltimore, MD, in deciding whether or not a patient is an alcoholic.).
Comment: 'Late one night, for some reason, probably because I was intoxicated, I was alone in a coin-operated laundry. It must have been around two or three o'clock in the morning. I wasn't doing laundry. Perhaps I was just waiting for the spinning to stop! (Yes. I sure could have used some drying out!). I might have wrecked my car. I don't remember.
I got up out of my seat to look at one of the dryers and when I returned to my seat I noticed that there was a yellow card with the 20 Questions. Someone hypocrite must have snuck in and placed the card in my seat! :-)
Must be some nitwit or an outfit that wants to do away with alcohol and drinking! (I thought). 'Heck! This would mean that everyone in the world is alcoholic!' It must have been a conspiracy, right? Besides -- only a lunatic would be out at 3 am, putting little cards like this on seats at a coin-operated laundry!&qut;
Comment: 'Sometimes, it's funny how us alcoholics seem to believe that EVERYONE drinks like we do and that those that don't drink like we do -- you can't trust them -- because they are out to get us!'
Comment: 'Over the years, I can now see many instances of how the seed of Alcoholics Anonymous was getting planted in my head, long before I ever went to AA! I had a nagging wife! As I look back over my life, I can now see that I was a real alcoholic many years before I ever suspected that I had a problem with alcohol! (after the wife left and married some other guy)'
Comment: 'First time I saw it was on a card in book at church. Next time I saw it I was in jail.'
Comment:'I'm sure glad that they let drunk drunks go to those meetings! I've recently learned that in some places, if a drunk is drunk, they want him to come back to the meeting after he gets sober!'
Comment:'I don't think they do that anymore. Maybe too many died trying to detox in meetings?'
Comment: 'I only answered 'Yes' to 17 of the questions. With a A.A. member's help, I was able to pass with flying colors... and answered 'Yes' to all twenty questions.'
Comment: 'I didn't know you could die while withdrawing alcohol. I have a doctor friend that works E.R. and he told me it happens often. He said you could have seizures, stroke, heart attack die and all kinds of stuff when quitting. It's good to get help and see a doctor.'
Alcohol Addiction Treatment and Recovery Information
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an organization that is dedicated to helping alcoholics learn to live their lives free from the clutches of alcohol. Its co-founder, Bill W, developed the alcoholics anonymous 12 steps with an aim to guide the former alcoholics on tackling issues related to alcoholism addiction, making amendments and continue living their lives recovering from alcohol addiction. The 12 steps of aa since its establishment has helped a large number of people suffering from alcoholism improve their lifestyle and get treated right.
What Is 12 Steps Alcoholism Treatment?
First published in the year 1939, the aa 12 steps program is a set of strict and specific guidelines that must be followed to treat the issue of alcohol addiction suffered by an individual or a group. The methods were first proposed by a group name Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The 12 steps of aa tend to achieve a certain set of goals which are ultimately leading up to the goal of tackling alcohol addiction. Numerous rehab for alcohol centers have introduced this system and reported an affirmative response.
12 Steps Treatment Objectives
The objectives of this treatment for alcoholism, as understood by the American Psychological Association, are as below:
- The objective is to acknowledge the fact that one is not in control of the crippling addiction or compulsion about it.
- The next objective is to identify with a “higher power” from where one shall draw the will to tackle the addiction. This, however, need not based on the religious sentiments of the addict.
- Next is to recognize past mistake under the guidance of an experienced individual.
- Following the diagnosis of the mistakes, comes the part where one needs to try and make amends to the same mistakes.
- The challenging part is this, in which one shall follow a new code of behavior – a more disciplined one, and structure the new life around it.
- The final objective is to act as an aid and support the fellow victims who are also fighting this battle against alcohol addiction.
The objectives ensure that the person going through these 12 steps of recovery does not lose the habit of self-centeredness and become more thoughtful of others. It also focuses on rebuilding the alarmingly low self-esteem which is necessary to structure a healthy new life. Now to answer the question of what are the 12 steps of aa, we take a brief look on each one.
Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous Program
Here are the steps to sobriety, according to the AA:
Step 1 of AA
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
The first of the 12 steps of aa is a simple mental practice that involves the acknowledgment of the situation the addict finds himself in. It is usually found to be the case that the people suffering from alcohol addiction, blame themselves. This feeling of guilt further encourages them towards extensive inebriation. Therefore, the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous starts with the addict accepting and acknowledging the fact that alcohol is beyond his decision-making capabilities and is detrimentally affecting his or her life. It basically acts like a self-diagnosis and analysis of the situation, from where no one can start to get better results and make progress towards sobriety.
Step 2 of AA
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
This focuses on accepting the fact that there is “higher power” that will provide aid in overcoming this addiction. The definition of a higher power could vary from person to person, taking the role of a religious figure or a sense of supreme energy that one might believe in.
Step 3 of AA
12 Step Program Alcohol
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
The third step leans towards the religious beliefs. The addict needs to turn the will and care towards the God he or she believes in. Belief in any religious sentiment might play a pivotal role in the whole process.
Step 4 of AA
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
This stage involves a higher level of introspection, upon which one will be able to form an inventory of moral values and principles to consider and abide by.
Step 5 of AA
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
The fifth phase involves the process of confession. The alcohol addict is expected to admit to himself, the God and to the people around him, the nature of his wrongs. It focuses on instilling a sense of responsibility in the person that is a necessity in the future.
Step 6 of AA
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
This stage requires the addict to be accepting and flexible to the removal of the negative traits by God and his fellow companions.
Step 7 of AA
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
It requires the addict to request the aid of God and the people around him to help him overcome this flaw.
Step 8 of AA
Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
It demands the addict to compile a list of people he or she has wronged and therefore make amends to them.
Step 9 of AA
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
This stage is a continuation of the last and states that the amends should only be made to people who wouldn’t be harmed or hurt by it.
Step 10 of AA
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
This stage focuses on the addict and encourages him to continue building the moral inventory and taking responsibility for one’s wrongful actions.
Step 11 of AA
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
The eleventh of the alcoholics anonymous 12 steps primarily focuses on practicing regular prayers and meditation to stay in touch with the higher power and maintain the hard-fought sobriety.
Step 12 of AA
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
This last stage of the process teaches one to practice these principles in their daily lives and also pass on the acquired knowledge on to the other addicts who are in desperate need of it.
Is 12-Step Treatment Effective?
Alcoholics Anonymous has a widespread presence in the US with more than 115,000 groups globally. Their 12 steps and 12 traditions of the AA program are unlike other rehab programs. According to the survey conducted by AA in 2014,
- 32% of people were introduced to the group by another member.
- An additional 32% were introduced to AA by a treatment facility.
- 59% of AA members received some form of treatment or counseling prior to entering the program.
Though there is no specific parameter for success, the addiction specialists cite the success rates of the treatment to be somewhere between 8% and 12%.
Criticism Of 12-Step Approach
Though the effective 12 steps have managed to save and change countless lives, it still faces considerable criticism for certain drawbacks.
- One major drawback, addicts experience, is the lack of confidentiality. The information shared in group meetings are not protected by any legal or civil cover. Thus, the other members or the sponsors can feel free to divulge the personal information at their will without facing any consequences.
- Another issue is one of cultural identity. For people who don’t share religious beliefs or any spiritual beliefs tend to feel the process is ineffective.
Choosing The Treatment Approach
With this overview of the al-anon 12 steps, the interested parties could now register for the alcohol intervention programs. One can celebrate recovery 12 steps in multiple ways. If the method does not prove to be as effective as promised, one can also resort to drugs to treat alcoholism.
Apart from this treatment, there are various counterparts such as non 12 step recovery programs one could refer to. For self-help addiction recovery, one can also go for the smart recovery online program which is an online community designed to help each other recover from addictive behaviors. The fight against alcoholism, however, is a matter of will and persistence which can be found under the right guidance and support.