Statistics about Alcoholics Anonymous

79

PERCENT

OF MEMBERS HAVE A SPONSOR OR A FELLOW MEMBER WHO PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT

67

PERCENT

OF PEOPLE WHO ATTEND AT LEAST 27 WEEKS OF AA MEETINGS DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR OF TREATMENT REMAINED ABSTINENT AT THE 16-YEAR FOLLOW UP

74

PERCENT

OF MEMBERS REPORTED THAT AA WAS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR RECOVER

5

Fast Facts about 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous

1

The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 12-step recovery program is a free treatment program for people suffering from alcohol abuse and addiction.

2

AA welcome people of all faiths, even atheists and agnostics, even though the program takes a spiritual approach to treatment. It is not affiliated with any religious or political group.

3

AA programs participants follow a set of recovery steps to achieve and maintain abstinence from alcohol.

4

Meetings are often held in public spaces such as churches or schools. Some meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend while others are only for alcoholics or prospective AA members.

5

The only requirement to join AA is a desire to stop drinking.

Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction

Increased quantity or frequency of alcohol use

High tolerance for alcohol

Strong cravings to drink alcohol

Unsuccessful attempts to reduce

Drinking to inappropriate

Needing alcohol to function in everyday life

Hiding alcohol

Long term effects of alcohol abuse

  • Memory loss
  • Loss of attention span
  • Trouble learning
  • High blood pressure
  • Cancers of the throat, mouth, larynx, liver, breast, and colon
  • Stroke
  • Irregular heartbeat

Signs of alcohol poisoning

  • Confusions
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Unconsciousness
  • Low body temperature

Stages of Alcoholism

Knowing the stages of alcoholism can help you as you
determine what your options are for detoxification and
treatment. There are four stages of alcoholism:

1) PRE ALCOHOLIC

You’re still primarily drinking socially but with in-creasing frequency; you begin to build tolerance.

2) EARLY ALCOHOLIC

Occurs after your first alcohol-related black-out, you begin to experience an inability to resist alcohol, you may be lying about drinking, have increased tolerance and are obsessing about alcohol.

3) MIDDLE ALCOHOLIC

When you begin missing work or social obligations, become irritable, experience body changes such as weight gain/loss and you may make attempts to stop drinking.

4) LATE ALCOHOLIC

When serious health problems develop, you experience job loss and drinking is the most important thing in your life.

Types of Alcoholism

According to American Addiction Centers, there are five types of alcoholics:

YOUNG ADULT
ALCOHOLIC

The most common type of alcoholic; drinks on a few occasions but engages in binge drinking on those occasions.

YOUNG ANTISOCIAL ALCOHOLICS

The most common type of alcoholic; drinks on a few occasions but engages in binge drinking on those occasions.

FUNCTIONAL ALCOHOLIC

The most common type of alcoholic; drinks on a few occasions but engages in binge drinking on those occasions.

INTERMEDIATE FAMILIAL ALCOHOLIC

The most common type of alcoholic; drinks on a few occasions but engages in binge drinking on those occasions.

CHRONIC SEVERE ALCOHOLIC

The most common type of alcoholic; drinks on a few occasions but engages in binge drinking on those occasions.

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction

Treatment for alcoholism can include various methods but it typically involves three steps

1

Detoxification

This if the first step of alcohol addiction treatment. It should be completed with the help of a medical professional

2

Rehab

There are two types of rehabs that can help with recovery from alcohol addiction.

Inpatient – Intensive treatment programs that require you to check into a facility for a short-period of time.

Outpatient – A program in which individuals participate in recovery while living at home and continue with daily life.

 

3

Maintenance

After completing rehab, you will need to engage in certain methods to maintain your sobriety. This can include attending individual counseling or group therapy/support groups such as alcoholics anonymous.