Chapter 34 Self-Help Groups

Intro The 12 Steps The 12 Steps 1 in 10 adults has attended, some for family members 1 in 10 adults has attended, some for family members AA is the least researched in rehab AA is the least researched in rehab AA remains a mystery AA remains a mystery Lots of critics of AA Lots of critics of AA AA has helped hundreds of thousands AA has helped hundreds of thousands

History of AA Born out of the temperance movement of the 1800s Born out of the temperance movement of the 1800s Taken from the Oxford group in the 1930s and Carl Jungs work Taken from the Oxford group in the 1930s and Carl Jungs work Founded in 1935 after a stockbroker and a physician met. Bill Wilson called on Dr. Bob who was drinking. Founded in 1935 after a stockbroker and a physician met. Bill Wilson called on Dr. Bob who was drinking. Today in 150 countries Today in 150 countries Membership of 2 million with 1.2 million in the US or Canada (68% of membership in N. America Membership of 2 million with 1.2 million in the US or Canada (68% of membership in N. America

Elements of AA Page 447 Page 447 First three of the 12 steps focus on acceptance of one’s limitations First three of the 12 steps focus on acceptance of one’s limitations Steps 4-9 about change oriented activities Steps 4-9 about change oriented activities Steps are about maintaining spiritual way if life Steps are about maintaining spiritual way if life FREE FREE

AA and Religion Religion vs. spirituality Religion vs. spirituality Alcohol becomes like a God Alcohol becomes like a God Develop own concept of God or Higher Power, something outside of oneself Develop own concept of God or Higher Power, something outside of oneself Emphasis on spiritual growth a) desire a relationship with higher power b) Self has been the center of the universe rather than a higher power Emphasis on spiritual growth a) desire a relationship with higher power b) Self has been the center of the universe rather than a higher power

Anonymity One reason many mtgs are closed One reason many mtgs are closed Central concept of AA Central concept of AA Court or employer mandates runs counter to AA central philosophy Court or employer mandates runs counter to AA central philosophy Breaking anonymity Breaking anonymity What happens to the famous? What happens to the famous?

Outside Organizations AA does not affiliate AA does not affiliate Each group is self supporting Each group is self supporting Declining outside contributions Declining outside contributions

Primary Purpose Carry the message Carry the message Program for living life without alcohol/drugs Program for living life without alcohol/drugs

Sponsorship Key element to AA program Key element to AA program Sponsor offers guidance, confrontation, insight and support Sponsor offers guidance, confrontation, insight and support Does not take responsibility for sponsee Does not take responsibility for sponsee Sets an example, is a tool, guide Sets an example, is a tool, guide Unconditional Unconditional

How Does AA work Refer to talk by our speaker Refer to talk by our speaker

Effectiveness of AA Difficult to research Difficult to research People who join AA might be different than most People who join AA might be different than most Participation and frequency may be a factor in outcomes Participation and frequency may be a factor in outcomes Many researchers say evidence does not support effectiveness Many researchers say evidence does not support effectiveness Effectiveness far to complex to be measured by a single study Effectiveness far to complex to be measured by a single study

Narcotics Anonymous Since 1953 Since 1953 Focus is on “the disease of addiction” Focus is on “the disease of addiction” Not affiliated with AA Not affiliated with AA

Al-Anon & Alateen Help for families who love someone who is alcoholic Help for families who love someone who is alcoholic Members focus on themselves Members focus on themselves Learn it is ok to love an alcoholic Learn it is ok to love an alcoholic 4 C’s 4 C’s

Other Support Groups SMART-cognitive/behavioral SMART-cognitive/behavioral Focus is on addictive thinking, relapse warning signs and internal locus of control Focus is on addictive thinking, relapse warning signs and internal locus of control SOS SOS WFS WFS MM MM

Criticism of AA/12 step movement AA view is “never recovered” AA view is “never recovered” AA seen as hardcore AA seen as hardcore Based on fear, demands conformity and fails to affirm the person Based on fear, demands conformity and fails to affirm the person Founded by 100 men and 1 women-white privilege Founded by 100 men and 1 women-white privilege Religious Religious All or nothing All or nothing