Alcoholics Anonymous

AA Meetings and Ideology

AA meetings are designed to enable those who wish to become and stay sober to convene with the purpose of discussing their drinking problems and telling their stories. AA meetings in the community are generally open to both men and women, while AA programs in correctional facilities are, for obvious reasons, limited to the single-sex members of the facility population. Most institutional AA meetings are composed of only males or females.

AA meetings may be open or closed. Open meetings are open to alcoholics, their families, and those interested in solving a drinking problem or assisting someone who has a drinking problem. In contrast, closed meetings are reserved for alcoholics to discuss problems related to their drinking and actions taken to maintain sobriety. Such closed meetings are commonly found in correctional facilities.

In addition to general discussions of problems and sobriety maintenance, participants also discuss the 12 steps of AA, which offer a way to live a sober life. Many AA meetings in correctional facilities discuss the 12 steps and how the steps can help them overcome their disease. A perusal of the 12 steps reveals the strong religious aspect of the program. For example, members must first admit that they are powerless over their addiction and in order to overcome the addiction, they must believe that a higher power will assist them in removing character flaws including the addiction. Furthermore, the members must maintain the relationship with the higher power through prayer and meditation and asking for forgiveness. The 12 steps are as follows:

• 1.
  Admitting they are powerless over the addiction.
• 2.
  Believing in a higher power.
• 3.
  Making a decision to turn life over to the higher power.
• 4.
  Making a moral inventory of ourselves.
• 5.
  Admitting our wrongs.
• 6.
  Being ready to have the higher power remove character flaws.
• 7.
  Asking the higher power to remove the flaws.
• 8.
  Make a list of people we have wronged.
• 9.
  Make amends to people we have wronged without causing additional suffering.
• 10.
  Continue taking personal inventory and admitting any wrongdoings.
• 11.
  Through prayer and meditation improve our relationship with the higher power.
• 12.
  Convey these messages to other alcoholics and practice these principles in our lives.

AA and other Treatment Philosophies

While AA does not view itself as a psychological model of therapy, there are some therapeutic goals embedded within its traditions. For example, members must deal with denial, find healthy role models through AA sponsorships, and develop coping techniques. In addition, AA meetings challenge members' “stinkin' thinkin'” or antisocial thoughts. [Page 28]Thus, while the AA organization seeks to remain nonprofessional, there are some remnants of other treatment modalities (e.g., behavioral and cognitive approaches) found within some AA programs.

...