Transcript Alcoholics Anonymous for the Professional

Alcoholics Anonymous
for the Professional
Area 69
State of Utah
Tradition 11
• Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather
than promotion; we need always maintain personal
anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
The Preamble of Alcoholics Anonymous
• Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and
women who share their experience, strength and hope
with each other that they may solve their common
problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
• The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop
drinking.
The Preamble of Alcoholics Anonymous 2
• There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are
self-supporting through our own contributions.
• AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics,
organization or institution; does not wish to engage in
any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any
causes.
The Preamble of Alcoholics Anonymous 3
• Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other
alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
What is AA?
• Alcoholics Anonymous is an international Fellowship of
men and women who have had a drinking problem.
• AA is not a religion, nor is it affiliated with any religion.
∙
It is nonprofessional, self-supporting,
nondenominational, multiracial, apolitical and available
almost everywhere.
What is AA?
2
• There are no age or educational requirements.
• Membership is open to anyone who wants to do
something about his or her drinking problem.
What is AA?
3
• AA promises personal anonymity because acoholism
carries a great social stigma.
What does AA do?
• At AA meetings members share their experience with
anyone seeking help with a drinking problem and give
person-to-person support or “sponsorship” to the
alcoholics coming to AA.
• The AA program, as set forth in the Twelve steps to
recovery, offers the alcoholic an opportunity to develop a
satisfying way of life free from alcohol.
What does AA do?
2
• Through the example and friendship of the recovered
alcoholics in AA, new members are encouraged to stay
away from a drink one day at a time.
What AA does not do
• AA does not determine if someone is an alcoholic- That
is left up to the individual.
• Make medical or psychiatric diagnoses or prognoses, or
offer medical advice.
What AA does not do
2
• Provide drying-out or nursing services, hospitalization,
drugs, housing, jobs money or welfare services
• Accept any money for its services or contributions from
outside sources.
What AA does not do
3
• Provide letters of reference to parole boards, lawyers,
court officials, social agencies, employers, etc.
• Engage in or support education, research, or
professional treatment.
• Group conscience dictates wether or not a court card will
be signed.
Types of Meetings
• Open meetings are open to alcoholics and nonalcoholics.
• Open speaker meetings- open to alcoholics and nonalcoholics (Attendance at an open AA meting is the best
way to learn what AA is, what it does and what it does
not do.) At speaker meetings, AA members describe their
experiences with alcohol, how they came to AA, and how
their lives have changed as a result of AA.
Types of Meetings
2
• Open discussion meetings- one member speaks briefly
about his or her drinking experience, and then leads a
discussion on AA recovery, experience, strength and
hope.
• It is encouraged that discussion be limited to problems
with alcohol.
Types of Meetings
3
• Many meetings may differ slightly; group conscience
dictates how a meeting is run, as well as it’s structure
and format. However, the primary purpose of any AA
group is always the same- the recovery from alcoholism.
Closed Meetings
• Attendance at closed meetings is limited to person’s who
have a desire to stop drinking.
Singleness of Purpose and
Problems other than Alcohol
• Tradition Three- The only requirement for AA
membership is a desire to stop drinking.
• Alcoholism and drug addiction are often referred to as
“substance abuse” or “chemical dependency.”
Singleness of Purpose and
Problems other than Alcohol
• Alcoholics and non-Alcoholics are therefore often
introduced to AA meetings through professional
intervention: courts, judges, physicians, etc.
2
Singleness of Purpose and
Problems other than Alcohol
3
• Anyone may attend open AA meetings. It is often
encouraged that participants confine their discussion to
problems with alcohol.
• People with problems other than alcoholism are can be
members if they have a drinking problem.
Problems other than alcohol
• Even though we are not affiliated with other 12 step
programs, we do cooperate with them.
• If someone has a problem other than alcohol, we will
refer them to the correct program.
• Our AA central offices have information on other 12 step
programs.
Finding out more about AA
• Literature- Pamphlets
– Alcoholics Anonymous as a Resource for the Health
Care Professional
– The AA Group
– Memo to an Inmate
– A Message to Correctional Professionals
Finding out more about AA
– AA in Treatment Facilities
– Bridging the Gap
– If you are a Professional
– It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell
– Is There an Alcoholic in Your Life?
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How to find AA
www.aa.org
www.utahaa.org
– Contains a list of meetings state wide.
– Contains numbers for central offices
– Contains a calendar of upcoming events