Alcoholics Anonymous And How It Begun
The community of Alcoholics Anonymous has been providing necessary support and healing to recovering alcoholics for nearly 80 years. The group was founded by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith who are both recovering alcoholics in 1935, it began as a community-based fellowship in order to encourage sobriety in many recovering alcoholics. 12 steps were developed by the pair to go on the meetings of AA. They later also introduced the 12 traditions further to help define the purpose within the group. The original steps developed by the pair are still intact while many former alcoholics have credited the group for the help they received during their recovery.
In the country, there are currently 50000 people enrolled in the AA and the number stands at 2 million across the world.
What You Will Find At An AA Meeting
If you've never been to one before, it may be daunting to attend an AA meeting. The idea of going to a room full of people you don't know you are going through a problem and are seeking help can be intimidating. This feeling is felt by most of the people you'll encounter in the meetings. AA was founded by recovering alcohol addicts and its model has remained till today. For recovering alcoholics, AA provides a special environment where they can open up and not feel judged because every person involved was an alcoholic at some point.
The reception to the AA meeting is always amazing. They are encouraged to join the conversations though no one will force them. AA has the understanding that a number of people cannot be comfortable with sharing their intimate details during the initial visits to the organisation. After some time, they start feeling at home and find tremendous relief and healing through openly sharing their experiences.
The Differences Of Open And Closed AA Meetings
A closed AA meeting is attended only by recovering alcoholic addicts or those seeking to know how to go about kicking the habit.
Open meetings welcome also spouses, friends, and family members of the addicts. You have the option of deciding whether you want to attend a closed meeting or an open meeting depending on your comfort level within the organisation. A certain share of the people attending these meetings prefer to keep their therapy separated from the rest of their lives. There those who need family and friends to be there when they attend the meetings.
12 Stages Of Recovery
These 12 Steps have been the backbone of the AA meetings. These steps are written one after another, but group members realise that in fact they go in a circle. If a recovering user hasn't successfully passed through a given step, they can revisit it until they are okay with their efforts.
The first step includes admitting that you have a problem, and really need help to solve it. Following steps are consciously deciding you want to stop the habit; accepting your wrongs and those others did to you; correcting your mistakes; committing to keep on the road to recovery. To find out more about the 12 steps, go here.
Objections To AA
Withdrawal symptoms and other uncomfortable things one goes through as they try to quit alcohol abuse discourage many from attending the AA meetings. The resistance people have towards attending AA include
- They are not convinced it will work for them
- They fear running into a person who knows them
- They do not accept they have a problem
It is important at this stage to focus on the fact that you have genuine reasons for having considered going to the meetings in the first place even if the other reasons are weighing heavily on you.
If you think you need help, most likely you do. Attending a meeting may end up saving you a lifetime of pain and destruction brought about by the addiction to alcohol.
Identifying An Alcoholics Anonymous Group
The AA groups are widespread everywhere and you will definitely find one near you. Most groups have regular meetings, and you can definitely visit one sooner rather than later. Make up your mind what kind of group you want to join, closed or open, then go through our online meeting finder to locate one near you. Please contact 0800 246 1509 today so we can help you find a reliable AA group to help you today.