Running head: ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS PARTICIPATION
The Effects of Alcoholics Anonymous Subsequent Alcohol Use and Mental Behavior
Diane Jannsen
Mount San Jacinto College
The Effects of Alcoholics Anonymous Subsequent Alcohol Use and Mental Behavior
It is estimated that 7.2% of the population of the United States suffer with alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. Alcohol use disorders (AUD) are associated with a wide variety of psychiatric conditions that can cause major consequences and persistent impairment of quality of life and ability to function (Kelly, Stout, Magill, Tonigan, & Pagano, 2009). Many treatment programs are available to those who seek help in alcohol addiction. One treatment program that has had the most profound following and has impacted many lives is that of Alcoholics Anonymous (Kelly, Stout, Magill, Tonigan, & Pagano, 2009). Having over 2 million members, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) utilizes a spiritual twelve step program of recovery from alcoholism and is a powerful means of transforming the life of the hopeless alcoholic (Suire & Bothwell, 2006). A fundamental idea of Alcoholics Anonymous is that complete recovery involves more than just abstaining from alcohol (Suire & Bothwell, 2006). There must be a complete overhaul of identity in which the alcoholic perceives himself or herself as well as others. (Suire & Bothwell, 2006). In relation to the ideas of Experimental Cognitive Theory, it may be the alcoholic’s personal theory of reality that is affected as he or she works through the twelve step process. The twelve step process provides principles outlining a course of action for recover that involves admission, recognition, examination, making amends, learning and helping others. Limited research suggests that the twelve-step approach may work at least as well as science-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral treatment (Suire & Bothwell, 2006). This paper...