Are Caffeine & Nicotine Okay in AA?
There’s no question about it — I’m a full-blown coffee addict. If I fail to start my morning with a hot cup of Joe, I find myself grumpy, headache-y, and struggling to sift through some pretty intense brain fog by about 10am. Of course, I am far from alone. The Centers for Disease Control and […]
Getting Through Loss in Addiction Recovery
Grief is a complicated, uncomfortable, and entirely unavoidable part of the human experience. In many instances, grief is spurned by a significant loss. Loss might look like the untimely passing of a loved one, the end of a long-term romantic relationship, the death of a beloved family pet, or the end of a lucrative and […]
The Origin of Alcoholism
Alcoholism is different from other chronic medical conditions in several ways. Not only does it occur in people of all ages and stem from a variety of potential risk factors, but the onset of alcoholism can either occur rapidly or slowly, over time. Each individual who struggles with alcoholism will have their own personal drinking […]
Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work for Drug Addicts?
Alcoholics Anonymous, or AA, is a 12 Step program that was founded in 1935 and was designed to help people of all ages and walks of life overcome alcoholism and maintain a life of sobriety. The official AA website states, “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. […]
What Is SLAA?
Because sex and love addiction are not as widely understood as drug and alcohol addiction, there are still a great deal of stigmas and misinformation surrounding these two very serious behavioral disorders. If you hear an attractive younger man explain his personal battle with sex addiction, for example, you might inwardly roll your eyes and […]
What is a “Bottom” in Alcoholics Anonymous?
There are many phrases you will hear over and over in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). “Keep it simple.” “One day at a time.” “Let go and let God.” “Hitting your bottom.” The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says, “Why all this insistence that every AA must hit bottom first? The answer is that […]
What is a “Pink Cloud”?
Introduction Early recovery can be an incredible and exhilarating time. You have finally made the decision to reach out for help, and you received some kind of treatment—maybe you committed to 90 days in an inpatient rehab center, maybe you finally found your way into the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Your withdrawal symptoms have […]
Taking Suggestions in Alcoholics Anonymous
“You can’t tell me what to do.” This might as well be the personal mantra of most every Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) member prior to their introduction to the 12 Step program. Alcoholism and hard-headedness tend to go hand in hand. Many of us grew up in households that were either extremely strict or extremely loose, […]
What Are The Four Absolutes of Alcoholics Anonymous?
Many people don’t know this, but the two men who founded and developed the program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) drew significant inspiration from the Oxford Group. The Oxford Group, founded in 1921, was a Christian organization first developed by the American Lutheran minister Frank Buchman. Buchman preached that fear and selfishness were at the root […]
Admitting Powerlessness and Unmanageability
“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” This is Step One of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). When we finally make it into the AA rooms, we are likely beaten down, broken, and brimming with shame and self-loathing. We have successfully screwed up our lives, and there is no denying that drinking […]
