II.

The A.A. Approach

The A.A. program prescribes total abstinence, encouraging members to stay away from alcohol “one day at a time.” The first task for a new member is to admit that he or she has a drinking problem. To do this, the person stands up during a meeting, states his or her name, and proclaims, “I am an alcoholic.” Members are encouraged to share their experiences and learn to rely on each other to develop the strength to break their addiction to alcohol. Many new members attend meetings daily for three months or more. Experienced members often “sponsor” newcomers to A.A. by providing close personal support. Sponsors help newcomers work through the 12 steps of the A.A. program and keep in touch with them between meetings.

The 12-step system serves as the cornerstone of A.A.’s approach to achieving sobriety (see Twelve-Step Program). Each step specifies an action or behavior designed to help alcoholics live their lives differently. Among the Twelve Steps, members are encouraged to admit they are “powerless over alcohol,” to surrender their lives to “the care of God,” to identify things they have done wrong and make amends with people they may have harmed, and to share the message of sobriety with other alcoholics. (See the table accompanying this article titled “Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.”)

The A.A. method has been criticized because it appears to be religious—5 of the 12 steps include references to God. However, A.A. does not require belief in a formal religion or in God. The success of A.A. has inspired many other international 12-step programs, including groups for family members of alcoholics (Al-Anon Family Groups) and for people suffering from other addictive behaviors, such as gambling (Gamblers Anonymous), overeating (Overeaters Anonymous), and drug abuse (Narcotics Anonymous).