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Alcoholics Anonymous PHE Drug & Alcohol Team and RCGP PANN Group - 10 April 2013 Daniele Vautrat Health Liaison – Lewisham and Greenwich Alcoholics Anonymous The bigger picture • 1 in 5 main risk factors to health in the UK (Global Burden of Disease 2010) • Alcohol dependence – 6% of men and 2% of • women (ARNAP 2004) Alcohol disorder - 26% of men and women drink dangerous amounts of alcohol (ARNAP 2004) • Binge drinking – 21% of men and 9% of women (ARNAP 2004) AA’s view of alcoholism • Alcoholism is a progressive illness • Alcoholism is a threefold condition – physical, mental and spiritual • Alcoholics have lost the power to control their drinking How did AA start? AA started is the US in 1935 by two alcoholics: a stockbroker and a doctor • 2 million members in 150 countries • 25,000 members in Great Britain • 700+ meetings a week in London What is AA? Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience strength and hope with each other that may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism Who can join AA? The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking No hidden agenda AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes How much does AA cost? It’s free! There are no dues or fees for AA membership, we are self-supporting through our own contributions How does AA work? • One alcoholic talking to another • One day at a time • Local meetings • Newcomers choose when they are ready - to self-diagnose as an alcoholic - to embark on the 12 step programme of recovery - to pick a sponsor of their own choosing - to trust a Higher Power of their own choosing What is an AA meeting? • Each group is autonomous and self-supporting • “Closed” and “open” meetings • 4,000+ meetings in GB, 700+ in London Who runs AA? • 3 admin offices in York, London and Glasgow • Voluntary service • Rotation of service positions • Fellowship of peers relying on tradition, suggestion and example • There are no rules, regulations or governing authority Is AA 100% successful? Not in our experience • 40% had not had a drink for between 2 and 10 years • 73% had not had a drink for at least 1 year Source: Survey of AA membership - 2010 Leading to mutual aid • 20-30% of patients attending primary care clinics misuse alcohol (WHO 2005) • Brief alcohol interventions in primary care can significantly reduce hazardous drinking (Cochrane Database Systematic Review 2007) • Systematic encouragement to attend self-help groups is a cost-effective way to enhance treatment outcome (Humphries K 2004) How can AA help? • 14% of members first heard of AA from their GP (AA UK survey 2010) • Free posters and contact cards • AA helpline link to local meetings • Professionals welcome to attend “open” meetings • As part of continuing professional development, AA can deliver staff training Desire to change • FAST or AUDIT questionnaire • Denial of the problem • Resistance to change • Plant the seed. Alcohol will do the rest • AA newcomers will self-diagnose through identification AA’s primary purpose Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE P.O. BOX 1, 10 TOFT GREEN, YORK, YO1 7NJ TEL NO: 01904 644026 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk SOUTHERN SERVICE OFFICE: 020 7833 0022