Alcoholics Anonymous: a sect or a chance for a normal life? Alcoholics Anonymous
psycho-therapeutic methods | how they work |
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with the help of hypnosis, a person is forbidden to drink alcohol for a period chosen by him | |
a person learns to consciously control his unconscious desire to drink | |
a person learns to live soberly, enjoy life and cope with stress without alcohol, as he did in childhood | |
with the help of hypnosis, a person is instilled with disgust or indifference to alcohol. Sessions should be repeated regularly | |
long conversations with a psychotherapist, as a result of which a person learns to give up alcohol not only on a conscious level, but also on a subconscious level | |
a person learns to control his emotions and behavior so as not to succumb to the desire to drink | |
alcoholics meet regularly and support each other. They also turn to relatives, friends, religion, psychotherapists and the like for support. |
The method of treatment of alcoholism Alexander Dovzhenko
The method of treatment of alcoholism by Alexander Dovzhenko is one of the most demanded by patients in the recent past. The method was also popular due to its relative simplicity and accessibility. Treatment was carried out for 1 day. The essence of the Dovzhenko method is hypnotic influence on a person with the suggestion of a certain period of sobriety. "Coding" is carried out in the waking state. But the patient must have a great desire to get rid of alcohol addiction and abstinence from alcohol for several days before treatment.
The method was based on creating competition between two artificially created dominants: the fear of death and the restoration of oneself as a person. Thus, the authors of the method tried to achieve the main goal - a ban on the use of alcoholic beverages. Accordingly, since there is a certain prohibition, there must be punishment for its violation. The "punishment" was based on a person's understanding of the destructive effect of alcohol on the body as a whole, that drinking alcohol during the "code" could lead to fatal consequences.
An important aspect of the “coding” technique is the ban on alcohol consumption for a specific period, set by the patient himself. That is, a person plans his future for himself, the duration of the period of sobriety. The patient was left with the right to be released from the "code" at any time.
Psychotherapeutic methods work even more effectively when used in combination with medications and changes in the patient's lifestyle. Read the detailed recommendations of a narcologist in the article on how to stop drinking, and also study this reminder scheme:
The "double coding" method of Professor N.G. Naydenova
The advantage of "double coding" is the individuality of the methodology selected in each specific case. This technique includes the techniques of neurolinguistic programming, Ericksonian hypnosis (these techniques will be discussed below), the use of light drug maintenance therapy.
It is no secret to anyone that our behavior, our actions are often determined by the influence deep structures the brain, in which the repository of forgotten problems, experiences, insults is located. The basis of this method of treating alcoholism is an attempt to regulate the relationship between the conscious activity of a person and impulses from the subconscious area.
Neuro Linguistic Programming
Long-term pathological behavior in the form of alcohol dependence is not even a variant of normal behavior. It is possible to return to the behavior laid down by nature, natural existence - life without addiction, using the techniques of neurolinguistic programming. NLP in narcology does not "zombify" they restore the natural, only forgotten and lost.
Neuro-linguistic programming, despite such a formidable name, has nothing to do with something imposed, alien, unnatural. In fact, this technique is designed to revive the natural "program" of a normal lifestyle for a person.
A patient who abuses alcohol, even after drug relief of the withdrawal state, that is, getting rid of physical craving for alcohol, retains the so-called pathological craving for alcohol (although one can hardly imagine a “normal” craving for alcohol). That is, a person seeks to re-experience the state of intoxication.
One of the main key concepts of NLP is the concept of "anchor". As the well-known psychotherapeutic saying goes: "We say - anchor, we mean - NLP, we say - NLP, we mean - anchor." Anchor NLP- this is a very strong conditioned reflex connection established consciously or unconsciously. The key to the success of this exercise lies precisely in finding the very thing - the only true, positive feeling that can cover negative experiences.
NLP techniques are designed to create in a person the need to live soberly, to create indifference or even aversion to alcohol. It is important to teach (or make remember) how to overcome stress, trouble, experience joy and pleasure from life, without resorting to alcohol. In many psychotherapeutic methods of treating alcoholism, it is as if they are trying to negotiate with the subconscious. Most often, it is offered either as a source of pleasure not the state of intoxication, but other joys, or an animal fear of drinking alcohol. Unlike similar techniques, NLP seeks to restore the lost ability to perceive the world as in childhood.
Treatment of alcoholism by hypnosis (hypnotherapy)
Hypnosis is a special state of human consciousness, reminiscent of a dream, in which the external environment is not perceived, however, verbal contact with the psychotherapist is maintained.
In narcology, hypnosis is used to create aversion or indifference to alcohol or other psychoactive substances. Usually, during a session, the doctor inspires a person that alcohol is disgusting to him, this phrase is pronounced many times, in an orderly tone. As a rule, this results in a negative reaction of disgust.
Usually a hypnosis session lasts no more than an hour, then the patient is awakened. As a rule, if immediately after the session the patient is allowed to sniff the cotton wool moistened with vodka again, then he will again have an involuntary grimace of disgust. But if you repeat this experience in a couple of hours, then there will be no reaction of disgust. That is why hypnosis sessions are repeated several times so that this reaction is fixed for a longer period. However, even this does not mean that aversion or indifference to alcohol will remain in the patient forever. After some time, this reaction still disappears, and therefore it must be repeated.
At one time, the famous Soviet psychotherapist Vladimir Raikov used an interesting method of treating alcohol addiction. He suggested to a person in a state of hypnotic trance that he (the patient) is currently not himself, but some kind of relative, for example, a spouse or child. And he offered to take a look at himself - an alcoholic. The results were wonderful.
Erickson therapy
The physiology of the human brain does not allow in the normal state to freely move information from the unconscious to consciousness. Namely, the causes of psychological problems and many diseases associated with a violation of the nervous control of organs and physiological processes in the body are forced out into the unconscious.
The main advantage of Ericksonian hypnosis is that a person remains conscious and can work with his unconscious with the help of a psychotherapist. Keeping active position, the patient can at any moment inform the doctor about the emotions and sensations that have arisen, discuss the difficulties that have arisen.
The main "tool" of the psychotherapist is speech and its semantic richness. During the session, the doctor resorts to a special metaphorical language. He tells stories, fairy tales, parables, but he does it in a special way, using metaphors in which appeals to the area of the unconscious are hidden. Listening to the story, the patient imagines the images of the characters, sees the scenes of the development of the plot, remaining inside his own inner world. The psychotherapist offers various options for changing the situation, one of which will be chosen by the patient himself.
Emotive-cognitive (emotional-rational) therapy
This method allows you to teach an alcoholic the skills to control their emotions, thinking and, as a result, behavior in situations where there is a danger of starting to drink again.
This type of psychotherapy explains psychological problems as a result of incorrect processing of information entering the brain. As a result, which person draws false conclusions and inefficiently manages his behavior. The basis of emotional-rational therapy is the correction of erroneous conclusions, which allows you to change your attitude to problematic reactions and correct behavioral errors.
A rational approach to emotional disorders changes a person's view of himself and his problems. Realizing that he is not a victim of circumstances, a person gets the opportunity to realize himself as a person who can produce erroneous ideas, conclusions and, accordingly, is able to correct them.
With the help of emotive-cognitive therapy, one can be aware of situations in which people drink alcohol more often, and avoid such situations. Also, this therapy allows you to overcome with maximum efficiency those problems and those forms of behavior that are associated with alcohol abuse.
Alcoholics Anonymous
It is very difficult to predict who and for how many years this or that method will help. It should also be taken into account that not everything always depends on the patient: breakdowns occur against the background of psycho-traumatic situations from which no one is immune.
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Only a person who abuses alcohol or other drugs can understand how difficult and difficult it is to get rid of this disease.
Most of the alcoholics do not consider themselves as such.
Others do not consider it a disease and therefore do not seek professional help.
Still others, although they admit their addiction, do not see a sober life for themselves and do not even want to think about it.
But still there is a way, even for those who have completely lost hope.
Today, many clinics offer various options for getting rid of alcohol addiction. The most common one is coding. Yes, coding is effective for quickly getting out of a binge, and if a person suffering from alcohol addiction is well suggestible, it will keep him sober for some time. But to consolidate the result and keep as long as possible in a state of sobriety, additional efforts are needed.
The most effective in working with alcoholism today are deservedly considered the societies of anonymous alcoholics working according to the 12-step program. This program originates from the USA, today it is successfully working all over the world, including in Russia.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a community whose members voluntarily become people suffering from alcohol addiction. These people are united by a common goal - the desire to stop drinking. One can join the society of anonymous alcoholics only voluntarily, one cannot be brought into it by force (an example of LTP in the USSR). The organizer and leader in the group, as a rule, is a person who once himself suffered from alcohol addiction. Meetings are held, in most cases, once a week. Some participants who need more support, especially at first, attend several different meetings a week.
The main purpose of attending meetings is to support each other. It consists in the opportunity to be heard without judgment, to learn from the experience of people who abstain from drinking alcohol for a while. In such situations, experience is invaluable, because a person hears from the lips of another about his own torments and experiences, and seeing living examples of those who could control themselves, there is self-confidence and hope that he can do it.
Alcoholics Anonymous is independent from organizations dealing with problems of alcohol addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous has no membership dues. Rent of a meeting room, thematic literature, tea, coffee and everything you need is bought with voluntary donations from the participants, each one determines the amount that he can afford to allocate, the participants themselves can bring the necessary. Such a scheme of functioning allows the group to maintain autonomy and independence, thereby giving it stability.
There are also support groups for family members of alcoholics. In most cases, codependent behavior exists in a family with an alcoholic. Visiting groups for relatives helps to get rid of feelings of shame, to separate oneself from an alcoholic and not to bear over-responsibility for what he drinks. In some cases, meetings for relatives help to understand how they unconsciously push a family member to alcoholism.
There are also support groups for teenagers whose parents are alcoholics. There are also groups for adults whose parents were alcoholics.
Alcoholics Anonymous uses the 12 Step Program. But if someone refuses to follow the program for any reason, regular meeting attendance helps to stay sober.
Program "12 steps"
The 12 Step program itself is aimed at mental changes in the psyche of an alcoholic, and, as a result, it helps to cope with a physical illness. To go through all the stages, the alcoholic chooses a mentor who will explain to him the goals of this program, why it is necessary to follow exactly step by step, supports him when he has no strength to continue to fight.
"12 Steps" is a program focused primarily on the mental state of people suffering from alcohol addiction. The main goal facing such a person is the recognition of his own dependence. An appeal to a “higher power” (it is different for everyone, therefore, when working with a mentor, this moment is specially discussed, it is thanks to this approach that a person suffering from alcohol addiction does not have to be a believer for healing according to the 12-step program). Also important is the recognition of one's own guilt and the harm caused to others as a result of alcohol addiction.
In addition, there are 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. 12 traditions are not a law or a charter, they are not even rules. best word here will be wishes. These desires are based on personal experience interpersonal relations in groups of anonymous alcoholics.
Today this program is the most effective all over the world. You can read more about it in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. The book was written by the members of Alcoholics Anonymous groups for alcoholics and their families. In it you can find the answer to the questions that most often arise in such situations. From the moment of writing (1938-1939) the book has been invariably published in the traditional blue cover.
No matter how long you or your loved one has been addicted to alcohol, there is a way out. If you are in a codependent relationship and you are reading this article in an attempt to find a solution for your loved one, start with yourself. Find a society of co-dependents, try to walk around. On your own experience, you will understand how effective it is, and then there will be words and arguments for the one for whom you are trying.
Believe! Fight! Hope!
This is the only way to achieve success in the fight against alcohol addiction.
The attitude of society and the Church towards Alcoholics Anonymous is far from unambiguous. There is a persistent prejudice that "AA" is a sect. But it dissipates in the process of communication with members of society, who speak not in memorized sectarian phrases, but in a living language about their spiritual illness - alcoholism. A parishioner of a Moscow church tells about the community of Alcoholics Anonymous in Russia and his experience of a sober lifestyle.
- Sergey, please tell us about your path to Alcoholics Anonymous.
I am a teacher at one of the prestigious Moscow universities, I have two higher education and academic degree. I have been drinking all my adult life. I came to church as an adult, and went to church for a long time. I have had a spiritual father for a long time, I try to observe the fasts. But seeing the glass, I could not do anything with myself. And after the first glass - drank a few weeks. After coming to church, he stopped drinking during Lent. But on Easter, on other holidays ... Everything could start with a “cagor” and end somewhere on the street. It must have been a pitiful sight. Already I gave up, and my spiritual father. I think, by God's providence, and outwardly - by chance - I ended up in "AA". .What is happening to me, why I can not stop, I did not understand. Here the alcoholics themselves explained it to me: I am terminally ill.
Since joining AA, I haven't had a drink in 4 years. The family has recovered, everything has become more or less stable at work.
Now you are offering cooperation to Orthodox churches and monasteries, and some forms of cooperation are successfully functioning in some of them. Is something similar being done with respect to other religious organizations, or do you prefer to apply to Orthodox parishes?
We successfully cooperate with Catholic parishes, there are no problems here: the Pope has blessed. There is a group "Vybor" at the church in Lyublino, there was a group at the church on Malaya Gruzinskaya. The group works at the Lutheran parish. About 10 groups are now functioning at Orthodox churches. Unfortunately, many Orthodox priests, including my spiritual father, are skeptical about this path of recovery. I wanted to open a group at my temple, but so far I have not succeeded. Alcoholics are an unpleasant audience. There are people who have greatly degraded, sometimes people who are somewhat aggressive come. Not everyone wants to contact us.
One of the formulations of the 12 Step program - "God as we understand him" - is confusing. After all, not only traditional religions, but also sects understand God in their own way. Doesn't this point create prerequisites for the development of sectarian currents within the Commonwealth?
I know that there was one such precedent in the 80s. There was a sect - "Church of Christ". Its representatives penetrated the Commonwealth and began to conduct their activities there. They confused the people for several years, but still people saw their true essence and gradually "squeezed" them out of the group. That is, the issue resolved itself.
In general, such a trend is not observed, because religious issues are not discussed in principle in the group. the main objective All Alcoholics Anonymous - stay sober and help others stay sober. This is the core of the group. If it is removed, the group, as a rule, falls apart. Alcoholics Anonymous are people who have walked along the edge of the abyss. The memory of this is our common pain, it does not allow conflict to begin if someone is tempted to convert another to their faith.
Is the twelfth step of the program - service, that is, leadership, patronage over newcomers - is it mandatory? After all, if the ministry is “written” in the program, it will dominate a person.
AA makes no conditions. The only condition is the desire to stop drinking. And service is necessary for alcoholics themselves. The more we give, the more we receive. It is worth a try - you understand that there is simply no other way to keep yourself at the achieved level. In our group there is a person who changed all his blood. I paid money for new blood and thought that I would not drink anymore. Two days after that, he began to drink, even stronger. After all, the roots of the problem are not in the blood. This is a spiritual disease. It is cured by remembering that we ourselves are spiritual poverty, which is constantly on the edge of the abyss. For two years now the man I have been talking about has been going to the hospital with other alcoholics, and for two years he has been sober.
And what to do in this case for a person who is by nature uncommunicative, melancholy, and going to the hospital, starting a conversation with a stranger for him is breaking himself?
For example, I don't go to the hospital. I am one of those alcoholics who did not lie in the hospital, although I was close to it. And I have nothing to say to those who are there on drips. But I am a teacher and I can work with a beginner on the basis of a book: explain incomprehensible places, suggest what you need to pay attention to.
At the Danilov Monastery, the Metanoia organization operates under the leadership of Abbot Jonah (Zaimovsky), I manage to communicate effectively with the relatives of alcoholics. My twelfth step is the restoration of my own family. If there is an alcoholic in the family, then the whole family is sick. I try to get my family to go to the temple more often. My child is 5 years old, and he is already reaching for a bottle of beer: he likes the beer smell. I understand that he is already genetically “programmed”, and this is my fault. I tell him, "Look, dad doesn't sniff, and you never sniff that."
Service to people is carried out even at group meetings. For example, a person comes with 10 years of sobriety. And a newbie sits next to him. And the one who has 10 years of experience is already carrying out the twelfth step of the program by his very appearance. He talks about himself, that he was dying, that he was at the bottom, and now he is alive. Step 12 is evidence that alcohol is death, but there is life, and life is beautiful.
I try to give more money to the "hat" that goes around in meetings. With this money, brochures are published, with which another person goes to the hospital.
There is different types ministry. A person chooses his own path of service himself. Alcoholism is a progressive disease, and from relapse to relapse, bad consequences become more and more. And there is only one way out - a complete rejection of alcohol. A stable remission in this disease is possible only in case of adherence to spiritual principles and service to one's neighbor.
Do the new member of the group and the one who brought him in have to maintain a relationship in some way? Is there any emotional dependence of the members of the group on each other?
Of course not. We do not have any "pyramid", and relations develop in the same way as in any team: someone converges, someone diverges. Alcoholics often lose their social connections. You need to restore the ability to make friends, just communicate. But after all, it is comfortable to communicate with one, not so much with the other. There are conflicting people. Some smell bad to say the least. Of course, you can leave, but why not try to reconcile? One day I decided to go to another group. But my spiritual mentor said: “If you leave, you will stop in your spiritual development. Remember that the one you don't like is yourself. You were the same." Humble yourself, pray with someone you don't like together. After a few months, as a rule, the desire to leave the group lets go.
Where does A.A.'s funding come from? For example, the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" was published very high quality, and it is hard to imagine that it was published with money from the "cap".
Just this book was published with the money of a group that had been gathering for several years. The financial power of "AA" is our salary. And we get a salary only due to the fact that we are sober. Therefore, AA members, as a rule, do not skimp on donations. But this is only a form of gratitude and, again, an opportunity to serve one's neighbor.
The first books were printed in America and brought from there. We sold them, and with the proceeds we issued our own editions. So the first accumulations began.
Now we have a head office. Rent, utilities and staff salaries are paid from the money collected in the groups. Of course, we have the Alcoholics Anonymous Foundation - a buffer organization that produces various souvenirs. But all the same members of the groups buy these products. So we exist on donations.
The AA Society has been in existence for over seventy years. "Covered" a large number of countries. Which of them turned out to be the most receptive to the 12-step method?
Ireland (this is very drinking country), great success in England. Now there is a young, but rapidly developing community in Poland. They have stepped forward very much thanks to the support of the Catholic Church and official medicine. They have adopted the 12 Steps program at the government level. In Russia, we "slip". The first groups began to form around drug rehabilitation centers, which were usually private and provided paid services. And volunteer consultants who came from America began to work in these centers. Then they trained our consultants. Soon we will celebrate 23 years since the appearance of the first bands. Over the years, we have not progressed very well. We are not developing well because we have very few “friends”. In other countries, our brethren began to look for "friends" among "non-alcoholics" who would support them. And they did not even support financially, but with a kind attitude. Perhaps the perestroika time prevented us, in which the first Russian bands"AA". And the "Alcoholics" were in a "semi-underground" state for about 20 years. It wasn't that they persecuted us, they just didn't notice us. Rooms are needed for group meetings, and it was difficult to agree to provide them for meetings of “alcoholics”. Groups could disappear as soon as they appeared. There has never been a mass movement in Russia, and there still isn't. To date, about 300 groups are registered in our country, and these are statistics, in fact, of course, there are fewer of them. About 60 groups are registered in Moscow, of which about forty are "live". This is for a city of millions.
- Do you think that the “slippage” of the “AA” movement in Russia is connected with our mentality?
In America, things went quickly because there was a period of "dry law", there were public organizations that controlled alcohol consumption. Those who lobbied for Prohibition cared about the health of the nation. They supported the idea of the existence of "AA" groups, gave it a national status. For example, if a drunk motorist is detained in America, he is not deprived of his rights, but sent to AA for 3 months. And he must provide documents confirming attendance at AA meetings. And in our country, perhaps, in the time of perestroika, not everyone was up to that. And thanks to the totalitarian legacy, we are still afraid to talk about ourselves. Only now we are trying to start addressing the society, saying that we are its members, that we are such a public organization, like various "Fishermen". But we are also a public benefit organization. After all, alcoholism is the scourge of our society. And we call for a healthy, sober lifestyle and tell how to achieve it. And now we are just beginning to look for "trustees" in the church and, at times, in the bureaucratic environment. We don't really ask for anything. We just want to be given the opportunity to talk about the fact that there is an alternative way out of the problem of alcoholism. But we haven't reached the level of society yet. Maybe we scream badly. And when we scream, we are not taken seriously, because we are alcoholics. And we are waiting for those whom the society is able to hear to scream with us.
Getting rid of alcohol addiction is a task that not everyone can handle. With the help of narcologists and drug treatment you can get rid of addiction for a certain time. Only a strong-minded person is capable of maintaining sobriety for the rest of his life. To help overcome this thirst and rally people united by one problem, the society of anonymous alcoholics was created.
The Alcoholics Anonymous Club is a gathering of people with one goal, the path to a sober life. Each member of this group helps the rest of its members in the daily struggle with their vices. Members of such clubs are not interested in the financial situation of their comrades-in-arms, their age and even their name. AT European countries quite a common occurrence when joining such groups, a person introduces himself under a pseudonym. Newcomers are not pestered with questions about their place of work, financial status and place in society.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a community of men and women who share their experiences, strengths and hopes with each other to help themselves and others recover from alcoholism.
The main purpose of such meetings is the constant support of people who are taking the first steps towards a sober life. Here, everyone present has the opportunity to talk about their problems without fear of condemnation. Each member of such a group understands how difficult the process of abstinence from alcohol is. Only here a person will not be offered alcohol as a means of solving problems, but will be helped to set a goal and reach it.
The main thrust of the work of such societies is the path to a sober life.
For the first time such meetings were held in America in the early forties of the last century. Subsequently, the popularity of this phenomenon led to the fact that "AA" groups began to appear throughout Europe. In the early nineties, the first groups appeared on the territory of Russia. Today, there are more than a hundred thousand such societies, where every day dependent people are helped in solving their main problem.
Meeting method
The Alcoholics Anonymous group is quite large, with at least thirty people in each meeting. The leader of the community is usually a person who himself successfully overcame addiction and lives a sober life.
The purpose of such events is that each member of the group has the opportunity to rethink their lives, find new goals and an incentive to achieve them. It is here that each person gets the opportunity to independently re-educate himself and direct his thoughts in a different direction, not related to alcohol. In order to achieve these goals, the community is based on several principles:
- mutual assistance;
- faith in yourself and your loved ones;
- partnership.
Typically, these meetings are held once a week. During the gathering, participants talk about current problems, give each other advice and discuss their experiences with addiction treatment. Such a friendly atmosphere and the presence of people who are also struggling daily with their illness helps a person, giving an incentive to continue to refrain from drinking alcohol. Sometimes participation in such collective therapy can give more results than the help of a psychologist.
Each group adheres to a specific set of rules that are read each time the meeting is held. The list of these rules has been called the "Twelve Step Method". To people unfamiliar with this technique, it may seem that it contains religious overtones. However, this is far from being the case, under the concept of faith and higher power, here one should understand the inner core of a person, which will give him strength in the fight against vice.
The Alcoholics Anonymous meeting is held on a voluntary basis. Moreover, such groups provide for themselves in financial terms. But none of the participants in the meeting is forced to make weekly donations. At the end of the meeting, any of the participants can contribute any amount to the development of the society. With these funds, a meeting room is rented, products for the tea ceremony are purchased, brochures and books are published.
The only condition for membership is the desire to stop drinking
12 step method
The work of such communities implies a strict overexposure of the rules and certain canons. One of these canons is a twelve-step method for getting rid of alcoholism.
Each member of the group must go through this technique in order to permanently relieve the burden of alcohol addiction. Each of the steps requires strength and endurance. The duration of such rehabilitation can be several years. If we consider this technique in brief, we can say the following about each step:
- On the first step a person must admit that alcohol occupies an important place in his life. The difficulty of the first step lies in the fact that alcoholics rarely consider their addiction a vice and are practically not concerned about their condition. Being in such a situation, it is easier to come up with a thousand excuses than to admit addiction.
- Further it is necessary to recognize the existence of certain forces that are capable of directing a person to the right path.
- Taking the third step, a person gives himself to these forces and believes that they will help him. It doesn't matter at all here who you believe in, be it God, the astral or the force of nature. The main thing is to surrender to this faith completely.
- At the fourth stage you need to understand the reason that led a person to the appearance of addiction. According to psychologists, not every person is able to do this on their own. It is for this step that the help of other group members who have already passed this stage of healing is required.
- Fifth step This is a rethinking of your life values. Here it is important to be able to rethink not only your problems, but also your whole life. Admit your failures and try to turn them into life experiences that will help you avoid similar situations in the future.
- Having identified his shortcomings, a person must completely get rid of them. That's what it is goal of the next step.
- seventh stage You can call it humility. Every day a person should begin with a prayer to higher powers from delivering him from vices and harmful desires.
- In rethinking his life, a person can remember many people whom he insulted, humiliated or harmed them. eighth step is to cleanse your soul of guilt before these people and ask them for forgiveness. Sometimes forgiveness is not enough and you need to redeem yourself.
- Ninth step helps to get rid of self-destruction and appear before people in a new light. A pure soul and the absence of resentment bring deliverance and peace.
- Thereafter a person should devote as much time as possible to introspection and self-improvement. Avoiding anger, aggression and resentment becomes much easier by adhering to a sober life.
- Eleventh stage is dedicated to constant prayers to a higher power for the acquisition of peace and tranquility. Help for a sober life.
- Twelfth step is to help beginners, guide them on the right path. It is at this step that a certain brotherhood of people united by a single problem is felt.
AA is not affiliated with any sect, creed, political denomination, organization, or institution.
Each of these stages of purification and rehabilitation must be passed by a newcomer to Alcoholics Anonymous. The meaning and necessity of this technique is explained to each member of this society. Despite the fact that the technique itself may seem strange, experts talk about its positive results.
Traditions
In addition to the twelve steps, each member of the group must adhere to a certain set of instillations and traditions. The number of these rules is also twelve.
The first rule refers to the fact that the unity of every society comes first. The well-being of each member of the group depends on the coherence of the team and internal mutual assistance. It is very important to stick to the right goal and only by working in a team can you achieve it. If you believe the statistics, then the chance of returning to drunkenness for a participant in such a program is a single value.
In addition, it is important to accept that higher power is the main authority. In such groups, no one has the right to expel a participant from meetings or influence such a situation. In order to join the ranks of this fraternity, you need to have a clear goal to end the use of alcohol.
Each group is completely independent and independent of other similar meetings.
The purpose of each event is only one, to change the consciousness of a person, to give him spiritual food for development and guide him on the path of healing. You need to understand that these organizations do not pursue commercial goals and do not try to cash in on their members. Temporarily abandon financial prospects, it is necessary in order not to miss the main thing, a sober life. After undergoing treatment with a similar technique, you need to share your experience and guide new members of the group on the right path.
Each group is independently financially supported. That is why the financial contribution to the development of the group is important. It is not necessary to deposit several thousand into the club's piggy bank each time you visit. Each participant helps based on their financial capabilities.
Very often, psychotherapists participate in such meetings, but they do not have a certain “weight”. Any qualified help coming from outside the society can only harm the rehabilitation process. Only a person who has been in a similar situation and experienced everything on himself can help an addict.
Such meetings do not have a certain hierarchy, however, it is allowed to create certain subgroups that deal with organizational issues and maintain links between each member of the community.
Such meetings rarely participate in public discussions of issues unrelated to alcohol addiction. These groups guarantee complete anonymity to every member of society. This is the main rule of such communities.
These rules, principles and traditions are used all over the world. Their observance is the key to the prosperity of the group and the success of rehabilitation.
The main goal of the society is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve a sober lifestyle.
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