Observation Of An AA Open Group Doc
Abstract
The level at which the internet is taking over the traditional Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) old ways of face-to-face conversations is immense. Having attended the AA meetings both online and in person, I noticed that. Fifty-two people attended the online AA meeting and only twenty-six participated in person. This shows that most people struggling with alcohol addiction are now attending AA meetings via computer in search of sobriety than in person. In my thoughts, it is questionable whether stigmatization is the driving force behind the increased number of the online users. Indeed, I must attest to the fact that, stigma surrounding alcoholism still exists tremendously. Especially, after having been personally humiliated and laughed at by fellow students at the university during my search for AA self-help meeting was a revelation.
This paper will present what I learned as a participant observer in two different AA self-help meetings that occurred face-to-face and online. First, a brief review of the two observed groups is presented; second, the similarities and differences between the two groups will then be discussed. Followed by the comparison between the observed process and the theory of what a mutual aid group should offer.
Keywords: Alcoholics Anonymous, Mutual aid, self-help, alcoholism, Meetings
Introduction
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference” (AA World Services, 2014).
As much as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) fellowship has a strong spiritual component, it does not associate with any religious belief or political party, or any organization. It stands by itself as an intercontinental fellowship of resilient men and women confronted by related problems of alcoholism. It brings folks from all lifestyles that have a shared aim of wanting to stop alcohol use, allowing them to share their struggles and progress, at the same time, giving hope to one
The level at which the internet is taking over the traditional Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) old ways of face-to-face conversations is immense. Having attended the AA meetings both online and in person, I noticed that. Fifty-two people attended the online AA meeting and only twenty-six participated in person. This shows that most people struggling with alcohol addiction are now attending AA meetings via computer in search of sobriety than in person. In my thoughts, it is questionable whether stigmatization is the driving force behind the increased number of the online users. Indeed, I must attest to the fact that, stigma surrounding alcoholism still exists tremendously. Especially, after having been personally humiliated and laughed at by fellow students at the university during my search for AA self-help meeting was a revelation.
This paper will present what I learned as a participant observer in two different AA self-help meetings that occurred face-to-face and online. First, a brief review of the two observed groups is presented; second, the similarities and differences between the two groups will then be discussed. Followed by the comparison between the observed process and the theory of what a mutual aid group should offer.
Keywords: Alcoholics Anonymous, Mutual aid, self-help, alcoholism, Meetings
Introduction
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference” (AA World Services, 2014).
As much as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) fellowship has a strong spiritual component, it does not associate with any religious belief or political party, or any organization. It stands by itself as an intercontinental fellowship of resilient men and women confronted by related problems of alcoholism. It brings folks from all lifestyles that have a shared aim of wanting to stop alcohol use, allowing them to share their struggles and progress, at the same time, giving hope to one