alcoholicsanonymous as a resource for health & social care professionals
TRANSCRIPT
AlcoholicsAnonymous
as a Resourcefor Health &
Social Care Professionals
Introduction
The AA Preamble
What is AA ?
A fellowship Shared experience of
alcoholism
Helping others to recover
What is AA ?
Requires a desire to stop
drinking No dues or fees
Self- supporting
What is AA ?
Neither sectarian, denominational
nor political
Non-controversial
AA’s Primary Purpose
To stay sober
To help others achieve sobriety
Our aim
To inform about Alcoholics Anonymous
The 12 Step Recovery Programme
How we can helpAA in Great Britain has over 60 years
experience.
A resource to help patients suffering from alcoholism
Recovery is available free.
Some history1935: AA started in USA
Has grown around the world to 160 countries with 2,100,000 members
in 110,000 groups
1947: started in Great Britain 40,000 members in 4800 groups in GB
and Continental Europe
How AA views alcoholism
A progressive illness
A spiritual, emotional and physical illness
A physical addiction and a mental obsession
How AA views alcoholism
Loss of power to control drinking
A way of prevention remains undiscovered
AA helpsThose who are already
alcoholics and want to stop drinking
To learn how to live a normal, happy life without alcohol
AA as a servicePersonal, subjective experience
shared with another
Totally confidential and anonymous
We help ourselves by trying to help others
An informal person-to-person approach
Who runs AA?No rules, regulations or official
governing authorityAA relies on experience-based Traditions, on suggestion and
exampleLocal groups are autonomous
Individual and collective responsibility
What does it cost?
To you and the taxpayer
Nothing!
What does AA cost?Each group is self-supporting by members’ voluntary contributions
AA accepts no funds from any outside sources
All surplus funds are used to carry the AA message to the active alcoholic and to
inform the public about AA
More about alcoholicsIn our experience there is no
“typical” alcoholic
Drinking patterns differ
Confidence, feelings, fear
Resistance
Rationalisation and denial
What happens at AA meetings?
“Open” and “Closed” meetings
Usually between 10 and 40 people, lasting about 90 minutes
Getting to a meeting – the Helpline
Support and reassurance for newcomers
AA’s Pledge
NATIONAL HELPLINE NUMBER
0845 769 7555
When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA
always to be thereAnd for that: I am responsible
AA AvailabilityThere are Alcoholics Anonymous meetings every day of the week
throughout Great Britain
Professionals can contact the Helpline and local AA Health Liaison Officer
Attend open meetings, where visitors are welcome
How to find out more about AA
AA General Service OfficePO Box 1, 10, Toft Green,
York YO1 7NJTel: 01904 644026
Northern Service Office – Glasgow
Tel: 0141 226 2214
Southern Service Office – London
Tel: 020 7833 0022