AA: Why It Works
For those who have grappled with alcohol addiction, feelings of isolation are likely all too familiar. While in the throes of a substance abuse problem, people tend to prefer the company of their substance of choice over socializing with friends and family. When this type of behavior becomes ongoing, an individual battling an alcohol addiction has a high likelihood of either spending a great deal of time alone or fraternizing with others who abuse alcohol.
However, once a person has reached the point where he or she wishes to become sober, it is time to consider options for care and resources that will help him or her in the pursuit of a sober life. Among the many resources available today, none have been more consistent in offering support to men and women looking to overcome alcohol addiction than Alcoholics Anonymous.
Also referred to as AA, Alcoholics Anonymous involves member-led meetings that offer the support, guidance, and encouragement individuals need to abstain from the use of alcohol, likely after they have completed or are completing some other form of treatment. As its name implies, those who attend meetings do so anonymously and can share their experiences and learn from others in a safe and nurturing environment. Since the 1930s, AA has proven to be a pivotal part of countless individuals’ recovery journeys, and its success lies in adhering to principles that are meant to instill personal responsibility while relying on a higher power and one’s sponsor for support. Therefore, instead of spending a great deal of time with those who are actively using alcohol, men and women can spend time with those working on the same sober initiative.
What to Expect At an AA Meeting in Chico
Among the types of AA meetings available, there are open and closed meetings. Open meetings can include those not struggling with alcohol addiction, such as friends or family members of someone who is working on their recovery, and closed meetings are those in which only those working on their sobriety congregate. Whichever type of meeting is chosen, one can expect to hear other individuals’ stories of addiction, listen to how other people have maintained their sobriety, and learn from those who may have walked similar paths while addicted to alcohol.
Additionally, a common theme with these meetings is that individuals in attendance are encouraged to keep returning, as AA promotes remaining part of the group so that ample support can be received. Lastly, each meeting allows for the opportunity to share one’s own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and it is expected that all who partake in a meeting keep topics that’s are discussed confidential and free from judgment.
Benefits of AA for Your Recovery
Overcoming an addiction to alcohol is no easy feat. One must abandon the compulsions and triggers to drink and form a new, sober life that does not involve alcohol. AA recognizes that forcing a promise of life-long sobriety is overwhelming for people, and instead asks that its members manage their recovery one step and one day at a time. By encouraging members in this manner, the risk of relapse is likely to diminish as long as people continue to come to meetings regularly and remain active participants in sustaining their sobriety.
In addition to making the recovery journey more manageable, AA, as it has been stated, offers substantial support to its members. In choosing to become part of an AA meeting, a person becomes part of a dynamic recovery community in Butte County that can replace once-toxic relationships with ones that can improve a person’s life in a positive way. Finally, once an individual becomes a regular member of a particular AA meeting, there is an increased chance that he or she will remain committed to his or her personal promise of living an alcohol-free life.
For those living in the Chico, California area in Butte County, there are several AA meetings, both open and closed, that can be found. To locate an AA meeting near you, please consult the following link, which can pinpoint a meeting that is easily accessible: