August 1975

Self-Help Groups by Ashton Brieolara, M.Ed. Execuiive director, Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for Greater New Orleans, Inc.

How victims of disaster band together to strengthen and support each other cxpcrinicnt of nature which has been painful to sustain or too uncomfort- M AN’S BANDING together for a c o m m o n p u r p o s e is n o t unique to our culture. Historically, vehicle for individuals to beconic aware of the coniplcxity of the pcrsonal and psychological factors of uniqucly successful! Through the unconscious psyable to bear. Hitting bottom is an essential eledeprived members of society have behavior constantly operating in in- chodynamics of self-help groups, ment of the self-help experiment, often grouped to improve their lot, terpersonal relationships; they pro- licgativisni is rcplaced by positivism; and it is the foundation of the comobtain psychological or physical sup- vide participants with a mechanism dcspair, by hopeful anticipation; re- mencement of recovery. It is the port, seek justice, and relieve anxi- for developing or updating their phi- icction, by acceptance; isolation, by point when, for example, gambling ety. Members of self-help groups, losophy of life, so they can lay the fellowship. As one reviews the work- becomes more painful than pleasurunlike victims of some disaster, fre- groundwork for choosing how they i n g and results of these groups, it able. The depth of the bottom may quently have suffered in isolation, can live more serenely and conifort- is obvious that a transforniation of vary, but essentially it is always a S:UIW sort occurs. Unless this alter- crisis, confrontation, or prompting coming to the realization of their ably with themselves and others. inore public and social involvement Alcoholics Anonymous is one of ation is retained, permanent tran- from within or without.. Over the ‘ only after their contact with other the better-known self-help groups. It quillity, peace, and serenity – and in years, thanks to education and pubsimilarly suffering individuals. also enjoys the reputation of being the case of AA, sobriety -will be lic awareness, overweight, mental Basically, all self-help groups have one of the most successful. It is best minimal. problems, compulsive gambling, and common objectives: They offer an described as a simple program for a How does a self-help group work? alcoholism have been exposed for opportunity for members to express complicated problem. It is a pro- How does AA operate? what they are – illnesses – making 1 what they have experienced, what gram based on one human being’s The first step to recovery is moti- acceptance easier, long before rock they feel, and what they have come concern for another. vation. A crisis must be developed bottom is reached. to believe about their lives and their The famous psychiatrist Harry which prompts the individual to con- Dr. Vernelle Fox, who directed problems; they offer an opportunity Tiebout once quoted Adolf Meyer sider a change of life, a change of the Georgian Clinic for years, said, for members to relate to one an- as considering every person “an ex- habits. In the terniinology of AA, “Alcoholics ‘voluntarily’ seek help other, providing a platform from periment of nature -the product of niotivation means “hitting bottom,” when their wives say, ‘If you don’t which individuals can speak, if they life’s forces within and without.” Al- or reaching a stage of life which is seek help, 1’11 leave you,’ or when wish, and be heard; they provide a coholics Anonymous is veritably an unacceptable-a situation either too their employers say, ‘If you don’t get

help for your drinking problem, 1’11 cared for. gauge intake of food-of the Finally, the removal of the last have to fire you,’ or when their phy- The third step to success in AA smoker to put an end to the inhala- vestiges of the old self is only the sicians declare, ‘If you don’t stop or in any self-help group is humility tion of smoke. Without surrender, beginning of recovery. Permanent drinking, you’ll die.’ ” In each case, -the realization that we are insig- one can hit bottom a thousand times success is attained only through the alcoholic seeks help because he nificant in comparison with God. In with no significant change taking achieving and sustaining ego reducis confronted with a crisis, not be- AA, members “Came to believe that place. tion, realizing one’s own limitations, cause he wishes to stop drinking. a Power greater than ourselves could Isolation from alcohol or stress or setting up appropriate goals, and No alcoholic, no compulsive gam- restore us to sanity.” food is not the answer. Admission continuing to take one step at a time, bler, no smoker, no uncontrolled Humility means turning one’s will that alcohol, food, gambling, or while living “one day at a time.” eater voluntarily and willingly seeks and life over to the care of God as smoking is out of control is not suf- AA didn’t just happen. It evolved help for his or her problem without one understands Him (according to ficient. Surrender is necessary. Sur- from fears, anxieties and hope. . a confrontation or crisis. Denial is AA’s Third Step). It is this spiritual render works. It’s admitting: “I’m When Dr. Bob and Bill W. became much too deep-rooted to allow this. foundation which has been the basis tired,” “I’m sick,” “I’m licked,” “I tired of being rejected, of seeing al- The second step to recovery via for AA’s success. It is the mark of can’t go on,” “I’m sick and tired of coholics arrested, jailed, analyzed, the self-help route is joining the the Fellowship which sets it far apart being, sick and tired.” condemned, and prayed over, they group and thereby admitting one’s inability to cope successfully and from ordinary groups. It is the characteristic trait which makes the Fel- Through the admission that one is formed their self-help approach to unablc to go on as one has lived, the alcoholism, reaching across the once- , alone with the problem in question. lowship transcend nature. surrender process reduces the indi- unbreachable barrier to communica- In the case of AA, members admit Humility removes the last vestiges vidual’s ego and advances him to an tion, by extending the one-to-one that “we were powerless over alco- of the old self and enables the victim honest assessment of his plight. helping hand of AA. hol- that our lives had become to surrender to the entire concept Surrender is a type of conversion, The ensuing program, composed unmanageable.” The feelings of be- of recovery -to the inability of an essential trait of al! self-help of Twelve Steps and Twelve Tradilonging, of sharing, and of reliance the alcoholic to drink socially, con- groups. It affords the member the tions, is more than a program – it on a sponsor and other members, trollably, and comfortably – of the opportunity of sharing with others, is a way of life. Adhered to in every stabilize the alcoholic and, often for compulsive gambler to engage in relying on God and others, and ap- detail, it leads not only to sobriety, the first time in years, make him or ordinary games of chance as others proaching permanent recovery with but to progress. Would that every her feel understood, wanted, and can – of the compulsive eater to a new outlook on life. evaluation of AA and other self-

8 -.’ help groups could focus on the program. Unfortunately, these groups are often judged by their members. AA and the others, since they are pecting AA to wave a magic wand composed of human beings, often which will stop the drinking be- seek help. And there are a few anti- a monopoly on solving the problem. reflect human strengths and human havior without any cooperation from li~cdication”experts” within the Fel- Learning about and understanding weaknesses. the victim. Or they expect AA mem- lowship, who go to the opposite alcoholism is a matter of study, will- AA is frequently misinterpreted bers to drop everything at any time extrcme from drug abuse, by con- ingness to learn, and dedication. Toand misunderstood, by the public of the day or night to handle a drunk demning ull medication, repulsing day, the field of alcoholism needs and even by professionals. Some or an alcoholic who should have the nlrdical profession we have both the professionals and AA. make impossible demands on the sought to recruit for years. Neither has an infinite reach. Each been cared for hours before. Fellowship. They look to AA as a The foes of AA can always find How sad it is for a new member is dependent on the other. The alcodetective or missing-person service, a drinking alcoholic who went to of AA to hear ugly comments about holic needs both. So both must stand . which they contact to seek the lost AA. but didn’t absorb the principles the allies of the Fellowship, as if we ready to contribute to recovery. Unalcoholic. The frantic husband or and the program. So they say, “AA are cngagd in a war of professional- less both do, total recovery will be wife calls on AA to heal a shaky, doesn’t work. Look! He’s drunk ism vs. nonprofessionalism – a war jeopardized. sick, and often dying spouse. Fam- in which the booty is the alcoholic. Where does all this introspection again.” leave AA? In the same enviable poilies call on AA to act as a nursing At times, AA and its succcsscs As if there aren’t enough alcoholics service, sitting through to the bitter to go around! sition it has always possessed: havseem to threaten the professional, end of the drinking bout. Frightened who finds his psychological evalu- AA doesn’t claim the impossible. ing a plan of life geared to progress; wives want AAs to serve as peace ation, psychoanalysis, behavioral Through a deeply spiritual and hum- having a simple program of day-atofficers, rushing to the rescue when modification, biofeedback, and other ble program. taken a day at a time, a-time living for long-lasting sobrithe alcoholic becomes violent. Peo- approaches often doing no better it offers sobriety. Frcquently, in ety; having a recovery rate equaled ple ask AA to be an employment alone than does the simple program order to appreciate AA and to be by few, if any. other programs. agency or to act as a welfare service truly rehabilitated, the alcoholic re- If AA doesn’t attract, don’t blame of the Fellowship. AA can and docs to care for the family of the alco- contribute to the recovery process, quires professional help. AA doesn’t the AA program. Put some of holic who has squandered his pay- and professionalism coupled with calm physical nervousness, doesn’t the responsibility on the complaincheck on booze. Some request that AA is perhaps the best approach. treat physical deterioration, doesn’t ing, anonymity-breaking, know-it-all, AA send a member to talk to the Of course, some AA members arc evaluate psychologically, doesn’t re- manipulating individual who repels husband or wife who doesn’t want to not the best advertisers of the Fel- adjust family life. AA is not the only everyone, not just alcoholics: Or, listen, or to care for the recalcitrant lowship. Some are more detrimental answer for all alcoholics. But it prob- more practically, let’s put the blame alcoholic. to the program than its foes are. ably is one of the best avenues the where it belongs: on the alcoholic There are some who say, “AA is While no one speaks officially for sufcring problem drinker can take who may not be ready to stop drinka fake. I asked them to come to get on the long road to recovery. ing and accept recovery. The alco- AA, there is occasionally a member him and sober him up, and they who is ready, willing, and anxious Fortunately, we have come a long holic who is not willing to accept the asked me if he wanted help. Of to expound his “infallible” opinion way from the old concept that “Only whole program – not just part of course he didn’t want help! What i1n nlcoholic can understand or help the program, or some of the Steps, on a medical, social, or spiritual good are they?” matter. Some recovered alcoholics another alcoholic.” We know that but all of the program – must bear Some family members visit an AA feel that the manner in which they having passed through the portals the responsibility for his own failure. of alcoholism no doubt increases AA works! Look around you, and office to tell the secretary how badly attained sobriety is the only way the alcoholic has been behaving, ex- the way in which everyone else must the perceptiveness of the problem you’ll see. It works for anyone who drinker, but it in no way gives him sincerely wants to stop drinking.