Whatever life challenges you have been through or are dealing with currently, there are people in AA who have had that experience and got through it clean and sober. As effective as what does aa stand for alcohol the 12-step programs of recovery have proven to be, they are imperfect. Much of the language and philosophy of 12-step recovery can be strange and perplexing to those who are new.
Is Alcoholics Anonymous for You?
They make use of The Twelve Step Program, just as AA does. Their focus is also on coming to terms with the pain they have caused themselves as well as others in their lives, healing broken relationships and working to help others overcome their addictions. As you can see, there are many similarities between AA and NA, and it’s easy to get them confused. However, there are some differences between these two groups too, and they include more than just the addict’s chosen substance. While they may be subtle differences, they still exist. Every individual who takes part in an AA group is advised to read the Big Book, the bible of the organization.
Which Program Should You Choose, AA vs NA?
Information for people who may have a drinking problem. It also contains stories written by the co-founders and stories from a wide range of members who have found recovery in A.A. It does not accept donations from people or organizations outside of AA.
How to Find an A.A. Meeting
At first glance, it may seem as though your choice between AA and NA should be an obvious one. However, as you dig deeper, you’ll realize that’s not the case at all. While there are some similarities between the two groups, there are also some slight differences. You might https://ecosoberhouse.com/ be an alcoholic who is more comfortable with healing your addiction than blaming alcohol. If that is how you feel, Narcotics Anonymous might be the better option for you. In looking at the key differences between these two groups, you can find the right one for you.
- As the person progresses through the program, he learns the importance of embracing these principles throughout every area of his life.
- AA was developed as a method to help people recover from addiction to alcohol and to maintain abstinence, with the only requirement for membership being a desire to stop drinking.
- If you’ve spent any amount of time in an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting or have begun your journey in recovery, you’ve probably encountered a flurry of acronyms.
- These programs are based on behavioral, cognitive, and spiritual principles and practices through which people can learn how to stay clean and sober one day at a time.
- STEP reminds us that the 12-step program of AA provides a structure that can help us address and overcome every problem we face in recovery.
- Continual participation is the key to the effectiveness of the program.
Disease concept of alcoholism
- It also contains stories written by the co-founders and stories from a wide range of members who have found recovery in A.A.
- Call now to connect with a treatment provider and start your recovery journey.
- When you attend AA, you are attending a group that is based upon helping people who struggle with alcoholism.
- Although Dr. Smith and Wilson kept several elements of the Oxford group, such as holding informal gatherings, going through steps and working for no income, they made many changes.
- It was suggested that Wilson pay more attention to the scientific aspects of alcoholism treatment rather than the Christian elements of recovery.