Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelvestep Recovery Essay Example

DSM-v and AA/NA/Al-Anon Definitions

According to DSM-v, chemical dependence is a mental disorder that removes the categories of diseases for substance abuse and dependence hence substituting them with addiction-related illness. It denotes that chemical dependence is not an addiction of drug, but rather an adaptive situation that moves from continuous administration of drug and whose results is always in withdrawal upon cessation of use of drugs (Rayburn, 2015). Since functioning of the body is dependent on the chemical being used, individuals tend not to function well without the drugs. Globally, most health care professions use DSM-v edition as a guide for the diagnosis of any mental disorder. The edition has not only symptoms and depiction but also the course of action for diagnosis of mental disorders.

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On the other hand, AL-Anon definition states that chemical dependence is the addiction of drug that is different in perception from the dependence of substance. It is distinguished as obsessive, out-of-control use of the drug, and not-withstanding negative concerns. Also, it involves the union of individuals ready to share their distinct strengths, hope and experience with each other leading to the solution of their problems hence helping one another in recovering from the addiction of alcohol (Rayburn, 2015). For one to be a member of Alcoholic Anonymous, one should show the craving for taking alcohol. Significantly, no amount is needed for being a member of the group. Thus, DSM-v and Alcoholic Anonymous are essential in helping people in recovering from the addiction to alcohol and the treatment of disorders associated with substance abuse.

Support During and Outside Meeting Times

In meeting times, the alcoholics are empowered to acknowledge their condition and discover how to live with it while striving to end alcohol use. The fellowships are reminded that their goal is to help alcoholics to stay sober while helping them to achieve sobriety. The meeting uses a 12-step program which assists alcoholics in overcoming the problem of addiction (Galanter, 2014). Also, the program has been approved to be effective and it helps in the spiritual and character development of individuals. It involves the following activities:

• It acknowledges that one is defenseless in regulating his/her addiction or coercion
• It knows a great power of "as you comprehend it" thus giving strength
• With the help of a guarantor, it appraises errors maid previously
• For past errors and injustices, it makes restitution
• One learned how to live a new life, free from behavior of corruption and other means of behaving

Once outsides, members can have friends especially those that can be of help in enabling them to stay away from alcohol. When they feel they need to drink, friends or relatives should empower them in finding activities that can replace the urge of alcohol drinking. For instance, they can join in sports like football and this will keep them busy while getting off alcohol in their minds. Also, they can participate in activities which are known to be useful in the community like streets cleaning, children training on drug abuse among others thus enabling the addict to be busy and free from any alcohol thinking.

Differences between Peer Support Group and Psychotherapy Group

Peer Support group takes place when people are able to give skills, considerate and expressive, communal or practical help to one another. Unlike other kinds of support, peer support is produced by peers who necessary may not have the field teaching but can be of help in listening, monitoring and counseling (Shechtman,2017). On the other hand, psychotherapy group uses the psychological technique of offering help so as to overcome challenges in the desired way since it is founded on a systematic personal interaction. Unlike peer support which does not require an expert in performing the desired activities, psychotherapy group needs a professional psychiatrist in offering the required assistance. Despite the slight differences, lots of distinct psychotherapies address distinct problems.

Possible Addictive or Dependent Behaviors

Alcoholics tend to have a physical dependence behavior on the substance making them have symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal. Secret drinking is likely to occur to most of the alcoholics. Although joining the group doesn't necessarily mean that one instantly discontinue drinking, some new members find it hard to control themselves and tend to attend the meeting while drunk (Kelly, 2017). Also, some sip the alcohol after the meeting since it is hard for them to stop immediately and the process involved is not gradual as it takes time to reduce the consumption. Another behavior is that alcohol causes harm to not only themselves but also to others since they start acting irrationally especially when not having the substance as their system are usually addicted. Also, some tend to be more excited and happy hence leading to an exhibition of poor judgment and risky behaviors. In the process, the alcoholics may become irresponsible on sexual activity hence exposing themselves to unprotected sex or sexual assaults. Additionally, some may become neglectful of their lives and commit crimes while others may start fights or physical assaults of others while illogically saying hurtful things with no recollection the next day.

Conclusion

Substance abuse is a common problem within the society which should be addressed with cautiousness. The issue is affecting lots of individuals hence exposing them to some of the addictive and dependence behaviors. Although no one wants to be addicted to the drugs, it is good for the victim to acknowledge they have the problem. Upon acknowledging, the healing process can start. The highlighted twelve-step programs are effective in assisting the alcoholics to attain sobriety.

References

Galanter, M. (2014). Alcoholics anonymous and twelvestep recovery: A model based on social and cognitive neuroscience. The American journal on addictions, 23(3), 300-307.

Kelly, J. F. (2017). Is Alcoholics Anonymous religious, spiritual, neither? Findings from 25 years of mechanisms of behavior change research. Addiction, 112(6), 929-936.

Rayburn, R. L. (2015). "I'm not an alcoholic anymore": Getting and staying sober without meetings. Addiction Research & Theory, 23(1), 60-70.

Shechtman, Z. (2017). Group counseling and psychotherapy with children and adolescents: Theory, research, and practice. Routledge.