$5 post

Respond by Day 5 to two colleagues in the following way:

• Explain whether you agree that these are important characteristics of the logic behind the program.
• Explain what other considerations might be important.

Explain whether or not you think the Alcoholics Anonymous program is successful. Justify your response.

AlcoholicsAnonymous program is unarguably one of the well-known treatments forrecovering from alcohol abuse. In AA, members meet regularly to staymotivated and keep one another accountable for their alcohol use. Thesemeetings are left free and open to anyone trying to recover from alcoholmisuse. According to Kaskutas (2009), participants in AA are encouragedto abide and work every step that has been outlined by Wilson andSmith. Given the peculiarity and anonymity of the program, ascertainingits success rate has been difficult. Amidst the claims and abundantresearch that the success of AA can’t be explained, it is imperative tolook beyond the research and understand AA as a scheme that offerssupport, solace, comfort, and direction to those that are striving toremain sober. This is where the success of AA can be measured andgauged.

Thereis no doubt that success is a vague term to describe or define in theprognosis of this program. This is because some people truly recoverwhile others relapse and never recover again. A study by Lilienfeld& Arkowitz (2011) found that even within the first year, more than40% percent of members drop out. However, we can truly measure thesuccess of AA by comparing it with other available therapies. I believethat AA has been successful over the years on account of its ability tomake people sober and rediscover themselves. A major reason for itssuccess is that AA encourages members to look beyond their drinkingproblems by addressing those underlying and fundamental characterdefects. By adopting a new way of life, participants in the AA programembrace change and start living again (Kaskutas, 2009). In looking atthe bigger picture, I think it is impressive how AA did not try to stopthe proliferation of other steps-centered addiction groups from adoptingthe Anonymous name. By extension, AA is helping to fight other socialproblems. Finally, in justifying why the program is successful, it isimperative to mention that members find the group to be a compellingemotional experience where they can forge bonds with other people withsimilar pains.

Briefly describe what you think are the important characteristics of its underlying logic model. Explain your reasoning.

Thelogic model adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous is detailed in its 12-steprecovery plan. The idea is that anyone seeking help will have toexperience these 12 steps because recovery is a lifelong process.Participants do not necessarily have to follow each step from thebeginning to the end, but they have to figure out what works best forthem. Most participants will find their recovery by revisiting somesteps while others may need to simultaneously address two or more steps.However, Wilson considered the first three steps of the program asfundamental and recommended for practice. Another characteristicunderlying its logic model is a commitment to the program bysurrendering to a higher power. According to Magura et al., (2013), AAparticipation facilitates the acceptance of alcoholism as a disease suchthat the participant surrenders to a higher power through the help ofrecovering alcoholics, while instilling hope for recovery throughparticipation in the program. Lilienfeld & Arkowitz (2011) foundthat the 12 steps address major risk factors faced in each stage byparticipants and the action to be taken in the journey of recovery.Thus, sticking religiously to the 12 steps is an important component.

Anotherimportant characteristic of AA’s underlying logic model is its cardinalrule of anonymity. AA and its 12 steps have become ubiquitous anduniversally accepted even though no one can ascertain how well thesesteps work. The organization is difficult to study because of itsinsistence on anonymity, yet anyone who seeks help in curbing either analcohol or drug problem will encounter Wilson’s model on their recovery.It appears that AA adopts the Master narrative engagement framework(Hammack & Toolis, 2015) which explores the way personal identitytransitions are negotiated around potentially stigmatizing socialcategories to keep participant anonymous in the program. I think itsanonymity is a major reason for its success as it has removed pressurefrom its participants allowing them to rediscover themselves. AAencourages members to look beyond their drinking problems and addressunderlying character defects (Blonigen et al., 2011). I think the corecomponents of any logic model which are inputs, activities, and outcomescan be found in the AA program. Participants and mentors are the inputsin the program. The activities in the AA program is the rigorous andstrict adherence to the 12 steps. The outcomes are enforcing changedbehaviors. For example, members receive tokens to mark periods ofsobriety, from 24 hours to one month to 55 years.

References

Blonigen, D. M., Timko, C., Finney, J. W., Moos, B. S., & Moos, R. H. (2011). Alcoholics

Anonymousattendance, decreases in impulsivity and drinking and psychosocialoutcomes over 16 years: moderated-mediation from a developmentalperspective. Addiction, 106(12), 2167-2177. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03522.x

Hammack, P. L. & Toolis, E. E. (2015). Putting the social into personal identity: The master

narrative as a root metaphor for psychological and developmental science. Human

Development, 58(6), 350-364. https://doi.org/10.1159/000446054

Kaskutas, L. A. (2009). Alcoholics anonymous effectiveness: Faith meets science. Journal of

Addictive Diseases, 28(2), 145-157.

Lilienfeld, S., & Arkowitz, H. (2011). Does alcoholics anonymous work? Scientific American,

22(1), 64-65. https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamericanmind0311…

Magura, S., Cleland, C. M., & Tonigan, J. S. (2013). Evaluating alcoholics anonymous’s effect

on drinking in project match using cross-lagged regression panel analysis. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 74(3), 378-385. https://doi.org/10.15288/jsad.2013.74.378