The admission of a problem is the first step toward recovery. Second, the person who joins Alcoholics Anonymous, however informally, finds solace that he or she is not alone. Suddenly the individual is surrounded by caring, compassionate, and supportive persons who share similar stories and who completely withhold judgment. In fact, one of the things I noticed most as an outsider attending the meeting was that no one commented on the stories being shared with the group. No one offered advice. The only advice members are willing to give is "Keep coming back." Other slogans like "It works if you work it" help solidify the core tenets of the group in a person's mind. Therefore, a third goal of attending Alcoholics Anonymous is that the group seems to encourage commitment and discipline. Even though the disease model suggests total powerlessness, individuals are still expected to "work" the program, find a sponsor, attend meetings, and...

The avoidance of alcohol is the main work: and what makes Alcoholics Anonymous different is that it is based on an honor system. Sure, a person who shows up drunk for a meeting may be politely told to leave. Most persons who relapse during their recovery stand up in front of the group and admit their transgression. Something in the confession seems liberating: perhaps the members joining Alcoholics Anonymous need to know that other human beings are counting on them to recover and care about their progress.
References

Alcoholics Anonymous. "Information on a.A." Retrieved Mar 6, 2009 at http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=1

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous." Retrieved Mar 6, 2009 at http://www.aa.org/en_pdfs/smf-121_en.pdf

Mayo Clinic. "Alcoholism." Retrieved Mar 6, 2009 at http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/alcoholism/DS00340/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all