April 1971 ‘f. .

Opinion ences, but also every one of my ful cooperation between AA and Speuking to t/re 35th Anniversary Convention at Miami Beach, “original” ideas, plus a number of non-AA treatment services is a this friend o f A A said some things w e ouglrt to think others that had never even occurred spirit of goodwill generated out of trhorrt – wht~tlrt~ror not 1 w qqree tvitlr (111 Ire SUYS . . . to me. So much for my fantasies of the common goal of being helpful presenting anything original. to those still suffering. The most 1 have taken some comfort, how- effective working relationship is Problems of Cooperation Between ever, in the realization that most achieved when each tries to comdiscoveries or new ideas in the area plement the other, rather than tryof human relationships are, in fact, ing to compete. For this spirit of AA and Other Treatment Programs rediscoveries and that there is a cooperation to exist, the welfare of value in having different individuals the still-suffering alcoholic must by Charlea H. Aharan, Ph.D. expound the same ideas in their own take priority over all other con- Hc~~iotltrl director, Alcoholistn and Drug Addiction Rcsenrch Forindutiotl, unique ways. I have even heard it siderations. The starting point, then, Loke Erie Rt~gion,London, Otlt. argued that AA itself is a restate- is in the quality of our concern. Too ment of an old idea – an ancient often, i t seems to nie, cooperative message of love, spoken in a new atteinpts degenerate into a battlelanguage more relevant to our times J ANUAHY 1971 will mark the twentieth anniversary of my tirst contact with Alcoholics Anonmcnt center for alcoholics in London, Ont. What I am trying to convey is that AA shaped my ideas and to a particular group. It is a more familiar role for nle field, where each group ends up trying to demonstrate the superiority of its own technique and philosymous. Looking back, I now realize about recovery programs, and that to be speaking to professionals ophy. When this happens, the sufferi t was one of the most significant my friends in AA, who shared with about AA. On these occasions, I ing alcoholic gets lost in the events in nly life. Like so many me their experiences with alcohol speak at length on certain of my struggle. other people, I can say sincerely and their opinions about alcohol- professional colleagues’ attitudes There are niany personal charthat this experience changed, or ism, shaped my ideas about the which, I believe, prevent them from acteristics which contribute to a cosl~apcd,the direction of my life. Not alcoholic and alcoholism. working effectively with Alcoholics operative endeavor, but 1 believe a only did I become familiar with this In preparation for this occasiqn, Anonymous. Today, 1 am going to fundamental characteristic of all remarkable organization, but it was I developed a number of ide s risk sharing with you observations parties to such an endeavor must be also the starting point of my life’s about what I wanted to say, and71 of some AA members’ attitudes and humility. For cooperation to .take work. At the time of my initial con- nourished the fantasy that some of practices which, I bel,ieve, defeat at- place, there nust be on the part of tact, I was doing postgraduate work them would be worthwhile and orig- tempts at useful cooperation. Before all concerned an awareness of their at the university. Because of the in- inal. However, I thought I should launching out on thin ice and as a own lin~itationsand of the possibilterest stimulated by this experience, browse through the AA Grapevine, , way of protecting myself, let me ity that the others with whom they I became fascinated with the prob- just to bring myself up to date. 1 emphasize that I believe the AA are endeavoring to work are sincere lems of alcoholism in our society looked up all twelve issues for 1969 philosophy is unassailable. What I people and, niaybe, even individuals and with the therapeutic power of and decided to set aside those issues intend to deal with are individual from whom it is possible to learn. Alcoholics Anonymous. The result that contained anything relevant to attitudes and practices which occur The first point I would like to was that I did research in this area my topic. Perhaps you can imagine with enough frequency to be mis- make is that I do not believe the and then was fortunate enough. my consternation on discovering identified by the uninformed as an recovered alcoholic is necessarily an ahout two and a half years later, to that eight of the twelve issues con- expression of the AA philosophy or expert on ~!coholism, although he , be asked to establish the first treat- tained, not only appropriate refer- policy. may be. The recovered alcoholic in I The first requirement for success- AA is, in my opinion, an expert on

his own experience and on his can understand or help an alcoholic. need to be reinforced by emphasiz- treatment policy and philosophy of method of working the program. I agree that an alcoholic has a ing the failures of others. the unit that seeks their assistance. When he ventures beyond his ex- tremendous advantage in communi- In the same vein, we need to ask It would be desirable if a meeting perience and starts to declaim on cation, but 1 do not agree that only ourselves why we are so ready to could be arranged with the relevant the nature of alcoholism and the an alcoholic can relate meaningfully believe just about everything we people in the treatment center, to role of alcohol in society, when he to another alcoholic, or even that hear of certain individuals or discuss with then1 their viewpoint becomes involved in preventative being an alcoholic is a guarantee 04 groups. What personal needs are we about what constitutes adequate educational programs, etc., 1 believe success. , satisfying by our uncritical accept- treatment. In doing this, you would that he is risking credibility as a I am sure that many of you here ance of unverified rumors? Alco- be giving yourself the opportunity valuable partner in the eyes of many today can think of fellow alcoholics holics often refer to themselves as of finding out whether they practice professionals in rehabilitation serv- con artists; as con artists, they in a manner that is acceptable to ices. I am much more inclined to think TOO I often, it seems to me, should realize that one of the best ways to con somebody is to find out you. If you discover that they do not, and that they won’t change, cooperative attempts of the alcoholic in AA as.an expert what he would like to hear and then then I would recommend an apon a recovery program. He is knowl- degenerate into a battlefield. feed it to him. Frequently, the prac- proach which says, in effect, “When edgeable and skilled in helping, and —

ticing alcoholic will try to gain you have finished with the patient, it is in the area of helping that the whom you have found impossible to special recognition and attention by I would be glad to help in any way cooperative endeavor should be tak- understand and, perhaps, difficult to telling his AA friends or sponsors that I can.” I think this is infinitely ing place. Having opinions about help. I have noted that, when some what he thinks they might like to better than trying to work with the nature of alcoholism is quite ap- AA people encounter this kind of hear about his previous attempts to patients from a treatment center propriate for the AA, but these problem, they are inclined to ex- get help from treatment agencies. when your conviction about what ‘ opinions are often quite unimpor- plain it by saying, “He is not ready” (He will also, of course, tell the the patient should be doing, or tant in ternis of developing effective or “He hasn’t reached bottom.” same kind of story to treatment should not be doing. differs markhelping relationships. Cooperative However, when a nonalcohohc agencies about the failures and the edly from the conviction of the stafl undertakings quite often fall apart helper does not get to first b a y , lack of help that he received in of the center. A suffering alcoholic’s because of disputes as to the nature then the explanation is: “Well, what AA.) involvement in this kind of conof alcoholism. All of us, in trying do you expect? He is not an alco- I believe that people in treatment tradictory relationship only. results to work together, need to remember holic.” services and in AA would be very in damage. the AA principle of keeping an When confronted with this krgu- well advised to try to verify the 1 have had the experience of beopen mind. ment, 1 often respond by saying, stories they hear about one another ing present at AA meetings where Another attitude common enough “It’s true that I do not know how it before passing judgment. Certainly. I have heard speakers say that Anto comment on, I believe, is the feels to be an alcoholic, but don’t I have had people come in to me tabuse was of no earthly use, or that tendency of many AA members to tell me that I don’t know what fear, and try to rationalize their personal our treatment center was of no claini that alcoholics are a very remorse, shame, guilt, uncertainty, failure away by blaming Alcoholics earthly use. I respect the speaker’s special breed, entitled to special and despair feel like. These are feel- Anonymous. I know better, and I right to his opinion and probably consideration and recognition. It ings shared by all human beings.” I tell them that it is pure nonsense. his right to express it. However, I sometimes seems to me they claim go on to say that, in my opinion, we I would like to suggest that, when cannot help but feel somewhat sadto have the world’s market on suf- have more in common than you an opportunity comes to AA mem- dened when sitting with me is an fering all sewn up. An extension of imagine. We are brothers in oud bers to work in a cooperative way alcoholic who trusts me, who bethis view is the commonly express- human frailty. The superiority of with treatment programs, wherever lieves in my competence, especially ed opinion that only an alcoholic AA is secure, and it really does not possible they try to find out the when I have been persuading the

-. alcoholic to go to AA and have ment service as an easy way of do-. the social and behavioral sciences groups there are unwritten and untaken him therc myself. I know no ing Twelfth Step work. During our -even though these procedures spoken traditions. In some groups, way of overcoming this kind of early contacts, I found that many have grown out of AA impact. I an1 if an AA wishes to be recognized as problem, except, perhaps, through times we were being used as a thinking particularly of the develop- a niembcr in good standing, he will ;In emphasis on the individuality of dumping ground. I never objected ments in group process. not speak about his fear of people, the program and the importance of to trying to help; but, when this 1 believe one of the great his inability to work or understand maintaining an open mind. happened, 1 often felt that the in- strengths of AA is its ability to iill aspects of the program, the fact dividual was not receiving the full comnlunicate in a compelling way that he niay frequently behave bad- T Ire quantity of sobriety advantage of A A sponsorship. In conclusion, I would like to share a thought which may not be basic principles to live by; but I do ly, or the fact that he is unhappy think it could strengthen its com- and depressed – even when all of munication of method. AA com- these things niay be true. Instead, itt~portnntthan the quality. directly related to the topic. It is of nlunicates whut must be done, but he will feel that he must tell an interest to me, and I would like to 1 personally think there could be unqualilied success story or not There are one or two additional get some feedback about it. I be- more support in the how-to-do-it speak at all. points about working together 1 lieve that the impact and implica- area. This is particularly the case I have had many people in AA, would like to mention briefly. The tions of the social and technical in the management of troublcsonle new and old mc~ilbers alike, aptirst relates to the problenis unique changes that have taken place in the feelings which interfere with satisfy- proach nle because they were I to the recovered alcoholic in AA thirty-five-ydar lifetime of AA are ing interpersonal relationships and concerned that therc might be some- ‘ who is employed in a treatment cen- beyond my ability to comprehend personal growth. I have often had thing wrong with them. They tell ter as a counselor. I believe that the and perhaps beyond the grasp of the impression that, for many mem- me they like and need AA, but AA niember in this position has to many others. bers, the quantity of sobriety some- there is something missing – it’s reconcile a number of issues. Per- The society that gave birth to AA times becomes more important than not working for then1 as it does for haps one of the most difficult prob- is not, in many important ways, the the quality. Concern about quality the others. They tell nie that they len~she will have to deal with is society of today. AA’s continyed means that the individual should not are often unhappy, that they arc the temptation to become the inter- relevance is a testimony to the fact remain content, conlplacent because nervous at nicetings, frightened that preter and spokesman for AA at the that AA, when founded, was ahead he is a sober man. He must be con- the chairman may ask them to read treatment center and for the treat- of its time. But the need to stay cerned with what kind of sober man the Steps or thank the speaker, or ment center at AA. 1 believe people relevant is complicated by the rapid he is. It is sonletinies too easy for that they are bored and fed up. in this position would be wise to changes that are taking place. a person to believe the battle is won They think they are failures and avoid this probleni by stating, when AA principles are constant over when he achieves abstinence. The different, because they so rarely asked to comment, that they are at- time and should not change. But program (the Twelve Steps), of hear speakers or other members tending the meeting to stay sober, practice can change; words can course, emphasizes the quality of frankly adniit to the same kind of not to be a spokesman for any other change. AA pioneered in the de- sobriety, which is just another way feelings. If they don’t blame themgroup. As a matter of fact, 1 can’t velopn~ent of a new approach to of saying the quality of life – but selves, they sonietinlcs react in a think of any other reason why an troubled people, and future histor- the practice of many individuals and much more destructive manner and AA nienlber should go to an AA ians will record its impact on the the character of some meetings do decide that all the talk about hapn~eeting. theory and practice of the help in^ not. piness and contentment is just so One final point directly related to disciplines. 1 have been wondering In any human group, there are much hot air. cooperation: In my experience, lately whether there was some way certain ways of behaving which en- Troublesonie fears and discourthere is a tendency on the part of that AA could use some of the pro- courage identification. In AA, there agement are common experiences of many AA members to use the treat- cedures that have been developed in is a language, a style, and in some the new member; apathy, loss of en-

thusiasm, and periodic disillusion- in their relationships. It might de ment are not uncommon experiences beneficial for some AAs to go to of the older member. These prob- center which offers this sort of Icnls are not impossible or even training and development in human too difficult to resolve if one can relationships and group prgess. admit them and share them. The Members who attended such a ‘cenability to do this is influenced by ter would not achieve any special the degree of openness there is in status in AA; in no sense would they the individual’s group. To me, be professional. They would simply success in AA is characterized, not achieve a meaningful and valuable by the elimination of troublesome personal experience and would, as a personal conflicts, hut instead by a result, be more helpful AA memmember’s growing confidence that, bers. They would be less willing to with application of the program in accept words and slogans which his life, he will be able to cope with have lost their meaning through his problems. His success in work- familiarity. They would be inclined ing the program is demonstrated, to acknowledge and share the probnot by the absence of pain, but by lems I have mentioned; they would the feeling that he can cope with be more sensitive to these problems pain. There is usually tolerance in in other people. AAs who have had AA for continuing problems related the kind of experience I am referto the use of alcohol, but there is ring to could add a new dimension not always tolerance to the many to their group. Finally, and most other problems of living. By openly importantly, this activity could be a sharing the kind of problem 1 have growth dimension that would help mentioned, the individual makes AA members to evolve to deeper himself available to help and will levels of self-knowledge and apprealso help others who feel the same. ciation of the AA program. In recent years, in the field of A final word about cooperation: social science, a great deal of prog- The true basis for cooperation reress has been made in the area of sides in the awareness that love and group process. Methods have been tolerance must be inclusive. ~ h e ~ l developed which are easy to acquire cannot be limited to the members of’ and which are remarkably effective one’s group or to members of AA. in helping people to be more open They must embrace all mankind.