Nowadays, the issue of alcohol abuse is quite crucial. The drinking problem effects not only the person who consumes intoxicating liquids but also every family member and the community in general. Thus, the theme of alcoholism and its influence on people's life is very decisive for further discussion. From my outsider's view, I can argue that those who fight against the particular addiction are strong people restraining from many seductions on their way to sobriety. Last Thursday, I visited Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship of women at Church in my native town. Personally, neither I consume any alcoholic substances, nor my family nor friends have alcohol dependence. Hence, I was considered an “outsider” because alcohol addiction was unknown experience for me. Additionally, I never visited anonymous institutions, which helped people to fight against their dependence. Thereby, I chose this particular group to learn more about alcohol addicts, as well as obtain certain understanding of causes, which lead people to start drinking.

Before going to the particular meeting, I had specific stereotypes about alcohol addicts influenced by the social prejudicial treatment of people with this problem. To be precise, I prepared myself to meet wicked people in shabby robes with bad smell and poor appearances. Moreover, on a personal level, I felt nervous and unconfident not knowing how to behave. My mixed feelings became even more unbalanced when the date of visit approached. Entering a square room with two big windows, dim lights, and a number of chairs, I experienced a fear of the unknown. Since it was a hostile environment for me, I strongly felt that I did not fit this place. However, when members of the group began to gather, my fears were mercilessly gone. I saw tidy women with sad eyes smiling and greeting me. One of them welcomed me to their home where the group meet weekly to talk about their addiction experience and find support in their everyday battle to remain sober. After the warm salutation, I became more relaxed and confident. Furthermore, stereotypes about alcoholics as hostile and dirty people who have no home and do not take care of their personal hygiene vanished. I believe that the specific views of people with alcohol dependence are greatly reinforced by social media, cinema, and the community. Dysfunction of these prejudices refers to its negative effects on social life and public treatment of people who desperately want to stay sober. Thus, alcohol addicts fight against not only their abusive habit but also a stereotypical attitude.

At the same time, I believe that alcoholism is a serious health disorder, which requires specific medical therapy. Hence, the hypothesis I plan to prove is that without factual medical treatment Alcoholic Anonymous institutions can hardly support the concluding determination of addiction. Alcoholism can be determined as a disease distinguished by the immoderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, which causes physical and psychological dependence on intoxicating substances and damages person's social and private life (Smith and Wilson 13). Alcoholics Anonymous institutions are focused on the assistance for those who want and need to share their experiences and find support in the struggle against the problem. The only requirement the organization has is a desire to stay sober and refuse eradicate the destructive habit. The Alcoholics Anonymous helping program refers to a number of steps and traditions helping members of the group to go through the rehabilitation (Kaskutas 145). The main idea that unites these activities focuses on the inner moral search of every alcoholic to fearlessly admit their faults and find power to amend them (Kaskutas 146). In addition, the membership helps the addicts to fight against their problem through meditation as well as seek assistance through a higher power.

Furthermore, strong bonds within the group play an important role in supporting people to stay sober. Hence, the leader, as well as members of Alcoholics Anonymous, are called for using the world 'we' when speaking of their experiences (Ferriss 112). As for the traditions of the group, the leading one is the desire to obtain sobriety that the institution initially focuses on. Moreover, while anonymity is paramount, every person attending the meeting can feel safe and confident that everything he or she says will not be evident for the masses (Ferriss 113). At the same time, the group members read aloud the program Alcoholics Anonymous paying great attention to the steps, traditions, and anonymity. The leader of the membership is called to direct and coordinate the participants of the organization determining the principal goals and objectives (Mohr 44). Additionally, the leader of Alcoholics Anonymous organization can be regarded as a target for those who struggle for sobriety. The head of the meeting does not only help the addicts with the orientation but also manages members between different parts of the group discussions making necessary remarks (Mohr 44). Other attendants are required to participate in the dispute following the course of the meeting and recognizing the speaker's message.

At the same time, every weekly meeting of the group has a specific dedication. Listening to the member's testimony of his or her journey through the battle against alcohol dependence can be regarded as the main activity of the organization (Mohr 45). Once the speaker finishes the story, the leader of the group together with other members process the testimony making comments to support his or her feelings. Despite the judgments and blames, the attendants encourage the speaker likening his or her story to their own experiences (Mohr 45). The main idea of retelling one's story of fight against the drinking problem and discussing it with other addicts lies in the making a specific emotional contact evoking deep feelings (Mohr 46). In addition, there is a system of rewards such as a chip of sobriety or cake that keeps members connected to the association. Hence, the Alcoholics Anonymous support is mainly expressed as a discussion of the problem and search of the inner strength to resist it. Thus, it is crucial to discuss whether Alcoholics Anonymous groups include a therapeutic component or they are only a component of the real psycho-medical treatment.

To collect the necessary data for the survey, it is crucial to interview the members of the Alcoholics Anonymous group. While senior participants of the organization easily respond the questions, the new attendants feel uncomfortable when speaking about their problem and hardly establish the contact with the interviewer. Thereby, it is necessary to allow them to tell their stories without direct questions. Moreover, it is important to set a trusting relation with the interviewee without judgments or critique of their deeds. At the same time, observational data will be also beneficial in the discussion of the specific theme. The particular method of collecting information is especially helpful during the dispute meetings of the Alcoholics Anonymous group. In addition, taking notes of the speaker's story and the leader's comments will help to obtain a complete understanding of whether the attendance of the membership has a profound impact on the addicts' treatment.

The norms of the Alcoholics Anonymous women's group I visited are mainly centered on honesty and trust. Females who come to the meetings feel safe and protected from the judgment and stereotypes of the community. Every member of the group goes through numerous difficulties on the way to sobriety. Moreover, while the major principle of the organization is privacy. Hereby, women who come there can be confident that details of their private life as well as circumstance of fighting with the drinking problem will not be exposed. To my mind, the particular norms and principles exist to protect the Alcoholics Anonymous members and help them to share their stories in order to relieve. Furthermore, speaking of one's problem with the people who go through the same challenges can be regarded as an important component of the treatment. The norms of Alcoholics Anonymous group are also based on support and guidance of senior member who assist newcomers. These principles and values greatly differ from those of the larger society because addicts are very vulnerable, especially at the beginning of their fight. Thus, they need help and management of people who have already obtained sobriety.

On psychological level, it is quite difficult to make a reliable contact with the group members. Although the leader and senior participants of the institution answer questions willingly and share their stories, other members feel pressure, and thus, it is hard for them to be open to the stranger. Furthermore, some members claimed that it was hard for them to join the membership while others argued that they followed recommendations of their psychologists to come to the meeting. Some of the attendants stated that they have random relapses and without medical support it was hard for them to stay sober. Nevertheless, the relationship between the attendants are trustful and close. Hence, none of the cases of inequality or dysfunction can be noted. Moreover, the atmosphere of the meeting was favorable for the attendants to feel as they were at home. Despite social and cultural diversity, these women felt themselves united that helped them to share their experiences. Additionally, the only raking I observed was division on the leader, senior members, and newcomers, which supported the group to reach their target. Thus, although the Alcoholics Anonymous is very helpful organization, without medical and psychological support alcohol addicts risk to return to their drinking habit.

Therefore, Alcoholics Anonymous organization has an important role in assisting people who want to get sober. Despite numerous differences, women of the particular membership fight against their addictive habit that connects them and make a family. At the same time, the specific method of rehabilitation should be supported by the medical treatment as well as consultations of psychologist. To prevent recurrence, the meetings with the group members and the guidance of the organization leader has to be reinforced with a help of the medical professionals.

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