Getting help for alcoholism is extremely important, as continuing to abuse alcohol can be greatly detrimental to both your physical and psychological wellbeing. For most alcoholics looking to recover from their addiction, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an excellent resource to help them begin to not only understand their addiction, but learn the skills necessary to learn how to cope with their disease. As a result, many recovering alcoholics are able to find great success through AA.
What Makes AA Work?
When you are ready to willingly participate in AA, you will be exposed to just how this process works and how it will benefit you. Most of these benefits are centered around each of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which help guide your treatment process. Some of the many ways in which your participation in this 12-Step program can work include the following:
- Admittance – By admitting that you are an alcoholic, you are no longer allowing yourself to provide excuses for your behavior, or allow anyone else to do so for that matter either. Admitting your problem with alcohol gives you the opportunity to start taking meaningful action in regards to your sober future. This helps promote a full recovery and long-term sobriety, as it encourages you to never go back to the point of using again.
- Making amends – AA programs are determined to help you and your loved ones restore the relationships you had prior to your alcoholism. Family and individual therapy provided through AA meetings can mend broken fences and allow you to obtain the support and love you need to keep yourself on the straight and narrow with your loved ones’ support.
- Finding spirituality – While this step doesn’t always work for all, finding spirituality can help you remain centered and focused during your recovery. AA can provide hope and emotional wellness through the incorporation of spirituality into meetings, which can carry over into the development of your own sober lifestyle.
- Taking personal inventory – AA will constantly ask you to take a personal inventory of yourself, meaning that you are to look inwards to examine your own needs, your effects on others and more. Doing this step can help increase your mindfulness about your disease and how it impacts both you and your loved ones. Continuing to conduct this type of inventory can help you remain clear of mind as you move forward with your recovery.
AA is widely known to be one of the most effective methods of alcoholism treatment in the world. By helping you admit your addiction, make amends with loved ones, find spirituality if you so choose and teach you how to take a personal inventory, AA can help you through your challenges as your strive to obtain and maintain your sobriety for the long-term.
