What Is AA and How Can It Help Me?

What Is AA?

AA, short for Alcoholics Anonymous, is defined as a fellowship for people who share their experiences, hope, and strength with one another to solve a common problem – alcoholism – and help others recover from their experiences as well. 

There is only one requirement to attain membership – you must stop drinking. There are no dues or fees to become a member as it is a self-supporting organization. The primary objective of AA is to stay sober and help other alcoholics find peace and sobriety in their own lives. It’s an informal society made up of two million members globally. As of 2021, in the United States alone, 64,541 groups exist, which is made up of 1,350,415 members. These figures grow daily, and meetings range from a handful in some areas to a hundred or more in large cities.

AA is considered “nonprofessional,” meaning it does not have clinics, doctors, psychologists, or counselors. Each member is in recovery themselves. There is no central authority that controls how AA groups operate. However, AA has been considered such a success that almost every group globally follows a similar approach.

It’s important to know that AA is not considered a religious organization, and it is not affiliated with any religious body. AA accepts members from alcohol religions. You don’t have to sign up to become a member and can come and go as you please. There is not a single person in charge or a group, and they work together through the offer of help and suggestions only. Nobody can tell you what to do or not to do. 

AA works through members telling stories of what they once were, what happened, and what led them to where they are today. The AA program, also referred to as “The Twelve Steps,” offers a framework for self-examination and a life free of alcohol. 

What Are the Twelve Steps of AA?

The Twelve Steps are outlined in the Alcoholics Anonymous book in the beginning chapter “How It Works.” They are summed up in the following way:

1. We’ve admitted that we are powerless over alcohol and that our lives have reached a point they’re unmanageable.
2. We’ve come to believe that power greater than ourselves can restore our sanity.
3. We’ve made a conscious decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God, as we understand.
4. We’ve made a moral inventory of ourselves.
5. We’ve admitted to ourselves, God, and others the nature of our wrongs.
6. We’re ready to have God remove our defective characteristics.
7. We’ve asked God to remove our shortcomings.
8. We’ve made a list of everyone we’ve harmed, and are willing to make amends to them.
9. We’ve made direct amends to these individuals, when possible, except if it would injure them or others.
10. We’ve continued to take personal inventory and promptly admit wrongdoing.
11. We’ve sought prayer and meditation to improve our relationship with God as we understood them, and prayed for knowledge.
12. As a result of these steps, having had a spiritual awakening to carry the message to other alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all of our affairs. 

What Are the Benefits of AA?

If you’ve found that drinking is interrupting the quality of your life, productivity, or relationships, it’s time to start thinking about stopping. We understand that is easier said than done, especially when alcohol has become such a significant piece of your life. However, Twelve Step programs are highly effective at managing your condition and keeping you on the path toward righteousness. Not only does it provide you with a significant support system, but it helps you realize how your drinking is hurting more than just you but also those around you as well. There are various benefits of AA. Let’s dive in.

Structured

AA meetings are incredibly structured and adhere to timetables that guide sessions, which are strictly followed. This sets you up for success in recovery because you learn to be committed, and how to follow a schedule that will help you integrate back into life as a sober individual. 

Inspiration from Peers

During these sessions, you’ll learn to view your addiction as a disease when others open up to you. This, in turn, will help you to have a less defensive mentality when it comes to therapy sessions. The non-judgmental environment is also void of pressure and enables you to learn from your peers for enhanced lifetime recovery. 

Lower Chance of Relapsing

One study found that 40 to 75 percent of people will relapse in the first three weeks to six months following treatment, which is why aftercare is critical. Fortunately, AA fills that void and helps connect with others seeking sobriety for the long term. If you get treatment and go back to the same lifestyle you left, your odds of success dwindle. AA provides a strong support network for lasting recovery and people to keep you accountable for your actions. 

International Meetings

Whether you’re a business traveler or someone who globe-trots for fun, one of the many benefits of AA is that it’s international. If you’re abroad and need a meeting, chances are, you’ll find one. 

Cost-Effective

Fortunately, AA takes a cost-effective approach, and no matter the budget, you can join a network that’s right for you.

Is AA Right For Me?

Only you can decide if AA is right for you. However, if you’re in an endless loop of addiction that you cannot escape, or you’re fresh out of recovery and fear that relapse is inevitable, it might be worth checking out. In AA, they will not diagnose you and tell you if you should stop drinking – that’s solely up to you. However, if you answer yes to four or more of the following questions, AA might be right for you:

1. Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week, but you couldn’t last more than a few hours or days?
2. Do you wish people would stop worrying about your drinking or stop telling you what to do?
3. Have you ever switched from one drink to another with the hope it would keep you from getting drunk?
4. Have there been any eye openers in the past year that made you realize you should stop drinking?
5. Do you envy those who can drink without getting into trouble?
6. Has your drinking caused problems in the past year?
7. Has your drinking caused problems at home?
8. Do you try to get extra drinks at parties because you don’t get enough?
9. Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking at any time, even though you keep getting drunk when you didn’t mean to?
10. Have you missed obligations because of drinking?
11. Do you have blackouts because of your drinking?
12. Have you felt life would be better without drinking?

In AA, they can show you how to live life without drinking. Stop waiting. Seek help.