Abusing AA
This paper will try to explain the different views of how and why Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs are accepted and rejected as effective tools in treating alcoholism and other addictions. The articles reviewed contradict the others' opinion. First, we see that supporting the 12-step programs with a degree of involvement both the doctor and patient will see better results in treating the addiction. The second view will show that 12-step programs can be used as "self-help" treatment and must be used in conjunction with other forms of rehabilitation. When AA and other 12-step programs are not used with other forms of treatment, the patient tends to become codependent on the group.Doctors Peter Johnson and John Chappel believe that AA is not considered self-help and by contributing to the 12-step process as doctors the program experience will be enhanced. Self-help programs are considered to be a form of therapy used to better oneself without scientific research supporting the success rate and usually attended without a physician's input. The support shown for programs like AA is attributed to the abundant success rate they found when a doctor takes some minimal preparation for the patie
Dr. Jarlais raises some questions about the correlation between formal scientific approaches and the practice of the 12-step method, but I think these ideas can't be supported by the usual method of formal scientific research. The belief in a "Higher Power", which is step 2, can never be proven or disproved by scientific research. By making "...a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him." (Author. 1953) the members have a place to put all the grief and lies that they carry daily. This step is crucial to the sobriety of the individual and the maintenance of the group. When the step is never fulfilled the member will seek other forms of "self-help", which could also mean medication or liquor. The medicine they used in the past were alcohol, drugs, food, etc. These will be the medicines they seek again if they don't have somewhere else to place that will - their Higher Being. 3. Elsevier Science, Ltd. (1994). Using AA and other 12-Step programs More Effectively. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, Vol. II. Dr. Peter Johnson and Dr. John Chappel 6. Alcohol and Research World (1996). Jellinek's Typology Revisited. Washington: Susanne Hiller-Strurmhofel Dr. Jarlais' statement would surely raise eyebrows at the next research convention but is that what we can base the tremendous acceptance and success rate of AA on? In my personal experience, I can agree with the supporters of the 12-step method. The reasons are many but one comes to mind each time I read the opposing views - Are we complex human beings or lab rats? Is it necessary as recovering addicts and psychodynamic therapists alike to use a scientific approach to confirm the resounding results? AA works and if personal response or "storytelling" along with the admitting that we are powerless over our addictions helps, well, that is enou
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Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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