Читать реферат по английскому: "Alcoholics Anonymous AA Essay Research Paper Alcoholics" Страница 1

(Назад) (Cкачать работу)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Essay, Research Paper

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935 by a stockbroker named Bill,

and a surgeon Dr. Bob who were both hopeless alcoholics. The two had

initially both belonged to the Oxford Group, a nonalcoholic fellowship

headed by an Episcopal clergyman, Dr. Samuel Shoemaker. Dr. Shoemaker

and an old friend Ebby together helped Bill to get sober. Bill was also

helped by working with other alcoholics. Dr. Bob however did not have

the same initial success, but when he finally met Bill, he told him what

he had learned from Dr. Silkworth; that alcoholism was a malady of mind,

emotions and body (Alcoholics Anonymous). Dr. Bob responded well to

these ides introduced by Bill, he soon got sober, and never drank again.

The two men began work with other alcoholics at the City Hospital in Akron,

Ohio, and one patient became sober right away. Together these men made up the

first group of A.A., and shortly thereafter groups formed in several different

locations.

Early in 1939, the Fellowship published its basic textbook, Alcoholics

Anonymous. The text, written by Bill, explained A.A.’s philosophy and methods,

the core of which was the now well-known Twelve Steps of recovery. The book was

also reinforced by case histories of some thirty recovered members. From this

point, A.A.’s development was rapid (Alcoholics Anonymous).

The heart of Alcoholics Anonymous is in The Twelve Steps, which is a program of

personal recovery. New members do not have to accept or follow them as a whole

until they are ready and willing. It takes time for an individual to come to

terms with their problem, and that by going to meetings and listening to A.A.

members they too may begin to heal. The one prerequisite for new members is

that they must stop drinking. Only then, can a new life, an alcohol-free life

can begin. The importance of anonymity is also stressed as part of the

Fellowship. A persons identity is not disclosed to outsiders.

The Preamble of Alcoholics Anonymous:

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their

experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common

problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for

membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA

membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not

allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution; does

not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes.

Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve

sobriety (AA Forum).

There are no dues or fee for members of Alcoholics Anonymous. A hat is passed

at meetings for voluntary contributions used to offset the cost of rental for

meeting places, coffee, etc. Income is raised from the sale of books and

literature. An individual is allowed to, but not expected to contribute ,000 a

year. However, contributions are not accepted from non-members because the

group strives to be fully self-supporting.

In 1946, in the Fellowship’s international journal, the A.A. Grapevine, these

principles were reduced to writing by the founders and early members as the

Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. They were accepted and endorsed by

the membership as a whole at the International Convention of A.A., at Cleveland,

Ohio, in 1950 (Alcoholics Anonymous). These guidelines were created in order to

ensure the success of the group. They can help especially because of the

group’s informal structure.

Alcoholics Anonymous sets out to do three things:

1. A.A. members share their experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking

problem; they give person-to-person service or “sponsorship” to the alcoholic

coming to A.A. from any source.

2. The A.A. program, set forth in our Twelve Steps, offers the alcoholic a way

to develop a satisfying life without alcohol.

3. This program is discussed at A.A. group meetings (AA Forum).

There are several different types of meetings. There are 2 types of open

meetings. One is open speaker meetings which are open to both alcoholics and

nonalcoholic. In this type of meetings the members of A.A. share their stories,

their problems with alcohol, what brought them there, and how their life has

modified since attending A.A. The other type of open meeting is discussion

meetings. A member discusses briefly their experiences with alcohol, and then

leads a discussion on recovery or another alcohol related problem brought up by

someone at the meeting. Closed discussion meetings are the same as open

discussion meetings, but are for alcoholics and prospective A.A. members/ people

who may have drinking problems only. There are also step meetings, which are

normally closed. At these meetings one of the Twelve Steps are discussed.

Alcoholics Anonymous has expanded its locations to include holding meetings in

both correctional, and treatment facilities. By doing this they are able to

extend help to people who are in need, but unable to go to meetings. Obviously

people in jail or prison cannot leave to attend regularly scheduled meetings.

Patients in treatment facilities are also helped by these meetings. They are in

treatment and recovering, but also are receiving counseling and/or therapy along

Похожие работы