| Alcoholics face a difficult decision when they finally | | | | relapse. Fees are not charged to members and the |
| come to the realization that they need help. Many | | | | meetings are attended voluntarily. Members or the |
| prefer to try a self-help approach to alcohol | | | | public in general can make a donation to AA |
| rehabilitation. There are several self-help programs to | | | | whenever they wish. |
| choose from. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is, without a | | | | AA has a 12-step program that is based on |
| doubt, the most popular self-help group dedicated to | | | | self-restraint and taking responsibility for one's actions. |
| alcohol rehabilitation. It is the largest self-help group and | | | | Addicts must admit they are defenseless over their |
| is dedicated to assisting an alcoholic deal with | | | | addiction to alcohol. The addict turns their destiny over |
| alcoholism on a day-to-day basis. | | | | to a "higher power." Furthermore, the addict must |
| Alcoholics Anonymous uses the twelve-step program | | | | follow the steps to scrutinize the effects of their |
| written by its founding members. Group meetings are | | | | behavior and take responsibility for their actions and |
| held in local communities in several locations, and a | | | | make amends. |
| person can go to as many as he or she wishes. | | | | People requiring alcohol rehab must first get over the |
| Newcomers usually are introduced to the "buddy | | | | powerlessness they feel over the substance |
| system" shortly after attending their first meeting. The | | | | controlling their life. In order to recover the respect of |
| buddy system pairs up a newcomer with a sponsor | | | | their family and friends, one must make a personal |
| who has been sober for a year or more. The sponsor | | | | decision to seek help. If an alcoholic uses that help to |
| gives support on a 24 hour a day basis. | | | | the fullest degree, there is a tremendous chance that |
| Members have a group involvement plan in place to | | | | he or she will recover. |
| assist any fellow member who may be susceptible to | | | | |