What is Alcoholics Anonymous?

​​​​Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a world-famous support group for people struggling with alcohol addiction. AA recovery groups have helped millions of people get and stay sober. 

This blog post will provide an overview of what AA is and how it can help you or someone you know who is struggling with alcohol addiction.

What is 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; it is self-supporting through its own contributions. 

Furthermore, the organization is not allied with any religious sect, political group, organization, or institution. 

As such, AA does not engage in any controversy nor endorse or oppose any causes.

Types of Meetings 

Open Speaker Meetings

First, open meetings are available to anyone interested in AA, usually held in public places such as churches or community centers. 

At an open discussion, anyone is welcome to attend and listen, whether they are struggling with alcoholism themselves or not.  

Closed Discussion Meetings

Next, closed meetings are only for people who think they may have a drinking problem. 

This type of meeting offers a more intimate setting where members can share openly and honestly about their struggles with alcoholism.

Step Meetings

Finally, step meetings are based on the 12 steps in AA. 

These meetings are for people working through the 12 steps who want to share their personal experience, strength, and hope with others who are also working through the steps. 

What is the Concept of Alcoholics Anonymous? 

Overall, the basic concept of Alcoholics Anonymous is one alcoholic helps another. 

The program is based on the belief that people can help each other achieve sobriety and maintain it. 

The program has twelve steps designed to help people recover from alcoholism and live sober lives. These steps in AA  are: 

1. We acknowledge we are powerless over alcohol—that our lives have become unmanageable.
2. We believe that a higher power is more significant than ourselves and could restore us to sanity.
3. We decided to turn our will and lives over to God’s care as we understood Him.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our life.
5. We admitted to a higher power, ourselves, and others the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. We were ready to have a higher power remove all these character defects.
7. We ask this higher power to remove our shortcomings.
8. We wish to make amends for all we have wronged.
9. We will make direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when doing so would injure them or others.
10. We take personal inventory of our actions and promptly admit when we are wrong.
11. Prayer and meditation improve our conscious contact with a higher power; pray only for knowledge and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening from these 12 steps in AA, we will carry this message to other alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.

What Are the Benefits of AA? 

Alcoholics Anonymous has many benefits for those who are struggling with alcoholism. The 12-step program offers support and guidance from others in recovery. 

The steps in AA can help people to identify the root causes of their addiction and start to make changes in their lives that will lead to sobriety. 

In addition, AA provides a structure for living sober, which can be helpful for people who have been struggling with alcoholism for a long time. 

Finally, the meetings can provide a sense of community and belonging, which can be very helpful for someone trying to recover from alcoholism. 

Success Rate 

There has yet to be a definitive study on the success rate of AA. Still, one study from Stanford University found that of all interventions, AA was successful, with 60% of participants in all interventions. 

How to Use AA in Drug and Alcohol Rehab

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, AA can be a valuable resource in the journey to sobriety. Here are some tips for how to use AA in our drug and alcohol rehab in Michigan: 

• Talk to your doctor or counselor about whether AA is right for you. 
• If you try AA, find a meeting you feel comfortable with. 
• Try to attend recovery groups regularly and participate in activities.
• If you are struggling or relapsing, don’t hesitate to contact your AA group for support. 
• Remember that sobriety is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, effort, and patience to overcome addiction.

Liberty House Recovery Provides AfterCare Planning for Substance Abuse Treatment

Once substance abuse treatment has been completed, that does not mean the recovery process is over. 

At Liberty House Recovery, we provide our clients with aftercare planning, including access to recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous to help them stay on track with their sobriety goals.

For more information about our Michigan aftercare services, contact us today!