There is a reason why the 12-step model has lasted this
long, why it's become so popular around the world, and why it's helped millions
of people get sober. There is a wisdom behind the 12-step model and strength in
the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) community. Someone hoping to get sober (or avoid
relapse) can rely upon the inspiration, motivation, and support that an AA
meeting can provide for alcohol addiction recovery.
If you're new to AA, here are some benefits you might gain
from attending one of their meetings:
Community
- An
accepting community is essential for continued sobriety. For many, once they
realize that they are not alone in the alcohol or drug recovery process,
there’s hope. There's hope that it's possible to get sober, especially when at
each meeting there are many others who have gotten sober and having maintained
their sobriety for years. Furthermore, belonging to a group can heal that sense
of separation, from others and from yourself. Being with others who are in
recovery can provide you with a listening ear, honest feedback, and therapeutic
experiences. In other words, relating to the stories of others can be
incredibly healing for learning about yourself. Recovering addicts can support
one another by sharing personal stories and providing a level of support that
family and friends who are not on the same path cannot. It's common for AA
meetings to be incredibly welcoming. Everyone there knows what it's like to be
at the beginning of recovery. It's a tender place to be. Furthermore, many
recovery addicts don't ever lose that tenderness and vulnerability to relapse
and having to start all over again. Having a community that is embracing and
accepting can be the pivotal piece to one's recovery.
Structure
and Guidance - At each meeting, members are reminded of the
12 steps. These are a set of guidelines that can not only help a person end an
addiction but also help him or her create a new lifestyle that does not include
substance use. Each of the 12-steps have proven to be a path towards creating a
great life change. When those who want to stay sober continue to practice the
12 steps on a daily basis, they can eventually find sobriety.
Support - Both
structure and a community of people can be supportive in and of themselves.
However, attending AA meetings comes with other forms of support. For instance,
it's common practice for members to have a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who
has more sobriety and who can serve as a mentor. Also, today, the AA community
makes books, apps, online forums, and chat rooms available to its members.
There are many ways that an AA member can get support if he or she looked for
it.
New
Friendships - From within the community that AA provides,
it's possible for a recovering addict to form new friendships with others based
upon sobriety. Instead of spending time with those who are also addicts, a
person new to sobriety can find men and women to spend time with who are making
sobriety a priority in their lives.
If you or someone you know is hoping to get sober, attending
an AA meeting can provide hope, support, and guidance.
