Does anyone else see a common personality profile in AA?

Question

I have been researching self-help groups and find a common psychological profile with Alcoholic Anonymous members. Among the many characteristics that I have discovered is a strong desire to seek assistance outside their bodies (brain) with their addiction to alcohol. Most will speak of a god or a spirit that is responsible for their "recovery" form drugs like alcohol. The use of self-will or using positive cognitive energy is discouraged. This finding of entities outside the body contradicts personal problem solving as I know it because to unlearn a behaviour (they say disease) one must go to the source of addictions which is in the body. I am puzzled, can anyone help me understand this AA process?

Answer 1

Absolutely!

Alcoholism is only a symptom of deeper troubles.

The AA "group" becomes the outside assistance they seek. This is because the group has been in the alcoholic's shoes and can understand him like no other.

The 12 steps of AA include exactly what you are saying....that they THOROUGHLY search their past for wrong-doings, reasons for drinking and make direct amends to each person they have harmed.

So, in un-learning their behaviour, it's two-fold.
They have to stop the drinking first.
They have to make amends to those they've hurt....while still not drinking, among other 'suggestions' in order to remain sober.

This leads to the 'higher power' thing that most AAs will tell you about. Suddenly, after working the 12 steps, you find you aren't drinking... or thinking like you used to. It's a complete 180 change.

So in answer to your question...AA's do, in fact, reach into their brains ....deeply....in order to overcome their addiction.

Answer 2

Yes. These are people that are more comfortable allowing someone else doing their thinking for them, rather than thinking on their own.

Most are unwilling or unable to read the literature of their own organization, preferring that someone else tell them what it says. Unfortunately, the people they're listening to probably haven't read the literature either, and it becomes a case of the blind leading the blind.

A fine example is the pamphlet "Medication & Other Drugs". Poorly written and rambling, it does offer the insight that medication is between a person and his or her doctor. The Big Book also states that if a person needs medical advice they should seek it out and use it, but this makes no impression on the large, vocal faction that denounces the use of medication and/or therapy.

Much of what is believed in the rooms is passed on in the oral traditions and not supported by the literature....let alone, fact.

Answer 3

Yup, the addictive personality trait. They usually trade in their drinking for some other thing to become addicted to - even if it's coffee or going to meetings. Some start gambling or watching a lot of TV or movies, anything can be addicting.

AA believes that God or one's Higher Power helps them to kick the habit.

Most of the people I know who tried AA switched to private therapy - they found it more helpful and less time consuming.

Answer 4

Yeah...we're all prone to addiction. Go figure...