Group Therapy Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous in Group Therapy

Group Orientation

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) focuses on attaining sobriety among alcohol users. One of the central areas of focus for AA is special populations such as adolescents, women, the elderly, people with disabilities, and racialized communities. Often, these categories do not enjoy the interventions integrated into the traditional systems. The associated benefits of AA linked to mainstream populations are not necessarily replicated among special populations. The theoretical basis of this argument is that the inception of AA did not target special populations besides the limited numbers of attendees from special populations. AA was designed to cater to adults from a Christian background, particularly white men. The question of its effectiveness in diverse populations is thus crucial in incorporating the theories of intervention. Moreso, in assessing the validity of the 12-step philosophy in AA. A generalized assessment indicates that AA is effective even among these diverse groups. Still, members depict more interest in associating with group members who share similar ideologies such as culture and values. This kind of orientation also counts in developing the best interventions. The AA’s principal goal and requirement of stopping drinking do not solely serve as the unifying factor among members (Timko, n.d).

In keeping with these predetermining factors, comparing men and women in response to AA indicates that women exhibit better affiliations to AA than men. They have more interest in alliances because of the social effects such as more stigmatization of alcoholic women. Due to this effect, orientation informed by family therapy modality is essential. Indeed, AA has proven more effective for women who choose anonymity, and the latter has increased women’s participation in AA programs. Alcohol-related problems for untreated women are often more pronounced in women than men. The low baseline for women triggers their increased participation in AA, making the benefits more conspicuous. That is, AA’s attendance is more visible for women than men regarding reachability. It is essential to note that the registered benefits of AA are equally felt among men who participate in the programs when the effectiveness is assessed at individual levels. Thus, AA benefits all participants regardless of gender hence important for special populations (Timko, n.d).

Professional interventions are instrumental in AA groups. The first intervention that will form the basis of the research is the 12-step intervention anchored on promoting abstinence. The intervention contributes to cognitive behavioral changes central to AA’s effectiveness. The fundamental goals of the 12-step intervention are to initiate acceptance and promote surrender. Acceptance involves acknowledging patients suffering from progressive and chronic illnesses emanating from alcoholism. It recognizes that patients no longer possess the ability to regulate their drinking habits. Besides, acceptance emphasizes a lack of an effective cure, with the only viable approach being total alcohol abstinence. In the second primary objective of the 12-step intervention, there is hope among patients that comes through surrender. Hope comes through acceptance of the loss of alcohol control and the faith in regaining control not through the patient’s power but from a different and higher power. Through surrender, patients are made to believe that the healing power is encompassed in AA which as alcoholics attain sobriety (Humphreys, 1999)

The second intervention is cognitive-behavioral (CB) change, which aims to train the participants about the negative effects of alcohol. This kind of intervention relies on the patients’ cognitive abilities to recognize the dangers of alcoholism hence the desire to meet the primary goal of AA to quit drinking alcohol. CB therapy resonates with the objectives of the 12-step intervention making it an ideal choice to reinforce AA’s desires. For instance, CB enables women to identify the repercussions of alcoholism, such as lost employment and deteriorating health status (Humphreys, 1999).

General Overview of the Group

· The group will be centered on special populations, particularly women from diverse age groups.

· To test the effectiveness of AA in different social environments, the research will also involve men from the same social network as the primary participants

· The men will also serve as the reference point for the effectiveness of the intervention programs

· Women will be grouped based on their age because of variation in alcohol exposure among varied groups. For instance, younger women are at a higher risk of alcoholism than middle-aged.

· During the orientation phase, the sessions will be defined, which will govern the entire research process

· Meetings will be scheduled according to the set intended goals, with the result being attaining abstinence