ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Introduction This research

Meetings & Individual/Group Dynamics

Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings are led by a chair-person, and structured such that different people volunteer and stand before the group and tell their story. The storyteller begins by announcing their name and the fact that they are an alcoholic, then precedes to the story details pertaining to their individual experience of alcoholism. These stories provide both the teller and the audience members, with catharsis and emotional support.

The group as a whole consists of new members as well as those who have participated for any number of years, and newcomers. Any group member can stand and speak. During break periods, the newcomers may tend to stand alone until they are quickly approached by a member, who explains AA and the group activity. Sponsors are encouraged and provided; a sponsor is a recovered alcoholic that the new alcoholic can reach at anytime. AA meetings provide an alternative to drinking, and a safe, supportive, healing environment. Meetings are free, open, and regularly available, and everyone has someone to call at anytime. Groups may vary from location to location, however the structure remains the same. The alcoholic has a place to go, turning

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3). AA and its 12 steps can be viewed within the developmental process of separation-individuation which results in the ability for object relations. New members are treated as an autistic child, unable to separate from another and stand as an individual. A sponsor is provided who mediates between the new member and the world, providing guidance and new structure. The new member is free to cling to the sponsor and the group, while learning to prioritize and manage their life, sober (Straussner & Spiegel, 1996, p. 306). Differentiation, a subphase of this process occurs as the newcomer begins the process of separation, and differentiates between the self and the other. At this point they may begin to compare group members and realize that one or another is more similar and would be a more suitable sponsor. This is also the point where they begin to be aware of feelings and express them to the group. Next, practicing this expression comes in, which allows the recovering alcoholic to master their environment (Straussner & Spiegel, 1996, pp. 306-307). As the ego develops strength, the 12 steps provide a transitional object helping the alcoholic get back into the outside world. The steps help the alcoholic take stock of thems
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