Benefits of Service to AA Members Recovery and

Benefits of Service to AA Member’s Recovery and the still Suffering Alcoholic Dr Ash Kahn

What is Service? • Work done by one person or a group that benefits another • Acts performed by an English feudal tennat for the benefit of his landowner which formed the consideration for the property granted to him • Two way street - the benefit to the servant and the recipient • The NHS

Origins of the 12 Steps 1 We admitted that we were licked, that we were powerless over alcohol. 2 We made a moral inventory of our defects or sins. 3 We confessed or shared our shortcomings with another person in confidence. 4 We made restitution to all those we had harmed by our drinking. 5 We tried to help other alcoholics, with no thought of reward in money or prestige. 6 We prayed to whatever God we thought there was for power to practice these precepts.

Dr Bob & Bill W

Dr Harry Tiebout

Jung’s Letter to Bill W Craving = spiritual thirst of our being for wholeness Alcohol in latin is”spiritus”, the same word for the highest religious experience “Spiritus contra spiritum”

Step Twelve • Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to other alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs

Reward and AA • Bill W & Dr Bob envisioned paid AA missionaries & free or low cost treatment centres • Fund raising efforts failed • John D Rockefeller was contacted & Bill W thought he’d get millions • Rockefeller refused – gave $5000 @$30 per week • AA should be self financing • Power of AA should be in carrying the message from one person to the next

AA Programme is Multi-faceted • Explicitly spiritual programme • Social network • Helps to reduce depression • Enhances well-being • Improved behavioural coping • AA’s mobilisation of S/R important in recovery

Service in AA • Complex organisation • Survival of AA has depended on individuals doing service. • Benefit is that it is there for the still suffering alcoholic • Living in a co-operative

Preamble to AA Meeting • ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A. A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. • A. A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. "

Language of AA & Recovery • Powerlessness • Acceptance & letting go • Anger & Resentment • Humility • Gratitude • Compassion • Forgiveness • Altruism

Therapeutic Factors • • • Instillation of hope Universality Imparting information Altruism Corrective recapitulation of the primary family group Development of socialising techniques Imitative behaviour Cohesiveness Group culture

Spirituality & Recovery From Chronic Illness • Life has a meaning • Experience interconnectedness with others • Experience of transcendence (connection with power outside self) • Belief in the sacredness of life • Role of spirituality in recovery from chronic illness is well documented

Change in Thinking & Attitude • “Enables person to do, feel, and believe what they could not do before on their anaided strength and resources alone” • Granted a gift – new state of conciousness and being • Transformation – “possession of degree of honesty, tolerance, unselfishness, peace of mind and love” • Recovery model is life long - Emphasis on spirituality, life meaning purpose & quality of life

Rewards of Service • Develop a sense of gratitude • Contact with fellow man in an honest and positive relationship • Sense of love and being loved • Sense of belonging • Survival Instincts altered