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 AAs 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 womens 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,...…result being attaining abstinence

The assessment of achievement of the set goals (reduction and eventual alcohol abstinence) will integrate the historical values that influence how the participants have interacted with alcohol. For instance, women from cultures that depict high alcohol exposure will be clustered differently. This will allow diversity and the structuring of the meetings and eventually harmonize the sessions.

The clustering will also contribute to attaining progression. Besides, clustering by age enhances understanding. For instance, older women are more likely to have a deeper understanding of alcoholism and AAs positive outcomes than their younger counterparts.

Thus, each session will be guided by the composition of the participants. The overall goals will be shared across the clusters noting that the AA goal remains common. That is, stopping alcoholism. However, the path towards achieving this central objective will vary by the composition of the participants.

A transformation from one cluster to another will depict progression…