Chapter 10 is about the Folk Psychotherapy of Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA) by L A. Alibrandi. The focus of the Chapter is “detailed examination of the relationship between the sponsor and the new comer. A.A. sponsors help others to achieve and maintain sobriety. I like the statement of an AA member “Drunks get sober every morning, or every time they go to jail or a hospital, but in A.A we learn how to stay sober.” (Zimberg, S, et al pg. 165). AA folk psychotherapy goals are “to allow the alcoholic to know himself, define responsibility goals, simplify and integrate the jungle of conflicting values within him and develop the precious quality of self-respect.” (Zimberg, S, et al Pg. 174). AA is different from most of the other therapy for the alcoholic in the way the program is presented. They use the 12 steps. The steps are “reports of action taken rather than rules not to be broken under the pain of drunkenness. AA member shares his experience more often than he gives advice. Madsen( 1974) refers to AA in terms of tools to aid in recovery from Alcoholism. (Zimberg, S, et al pg. 166) …show more content…
I feel if the alcoholic is able to use the first tool “Stay away from the first drink” he will be sober for life. The third tool “Remember that alcoholism is an incurable, progressive fatal disease” Much as I agree that alcoholism is a progressive fatal disease, I am just wondering whether it is not curable. What of the 61% recovery rate recorded in chapter 4 of this book? The conclusion of the chapter is “ This study demonstrates that alcoholism can be effectively treated in a psychiatrist’s office” pa(Zimberg, S, et al pg. 61). I want to believe that alcoholism can be treated and that is why I am taking this