The Pros And Cons Of Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcohol use disorders are one of the most prevalent psychological disorders experienced by Americans yet only 10 percent of individuals seek/receive adequate treatment. One of the more well known forms of treatment involves a form of 12-Step program. Research has been done on the efficacy of 12-Step treatment, with positive outcomes. However, most AUD treatment providers are not familiarized in the inner workings of a 12-Step program. The current article seeks to address common misconceptions about Alcoholics Anonymous and describes the innermost workings of AA. The article also highlights several ways in which 12-Step programs share similar techniques with cognitive behavioral therapies for AUD. Due to the increase of 12 step programs especially

There is a focus on the maladaptive pattern of thinking which causes a negative effect, which is then relieved with alcohol. Although AA aims and encourages that one achieve complete abstinence from alcohol, this is not necessarily a requirement for membership. While attending a meeting there was a younger girl who shared and stated that she drinks occasionally in social settings. While listening, I felt my own biases jumping up wondering what was the point of these meetings if you were not fully abstinent. Simply put, the sole goal of the 12-Steps is to address the ideas, emotions, and attitudes that create problems and replace them with more beneficial ones. CBT for SUDS incorporates various interventions, including motivational interventions, contingency management, and various clinical skills/elements. Motivation is best achieved by sharing one’s personal story, letting potential members identify with the story, and then sharing the hope and gifts of recovery (during the meeting after an individual spoke, their words sparked more individuals to want to share). Contingency management has proven effective for fostering abstinence from alcohol. AA groups offer reinforcers for abstinence for example with a chip or a coin indicating the length of abstinence (there are now virtual options of this as well). Social reinforcement is provided in the form of applause from the

The fourth step challenges AA members to create a list of fears and resentments in order to reveal irrational/maladaptive beliefs and encourages them to replace them with more adaptive beliefs. The AA meetings are to encourage fellowship and are intended to foster positive social peer engagement and social support (this was clearly showcased during the meeting I attended). Several CBT interventions for SUD contain mindfulness and imagery exercises used to increase positive coping, reducing stress, and increasing motivation. Similarly AA suggests in the Eleventh Step that individuals should engage in a daily morning