How AA works and why it's important for clinicians to understand

Alcoholism is associated with tremendous suffering, psychological denial, and physical and emotional debilitation. Much of the suffering that plagues alcoholics is rooted in core problems with self-regulation involving self-governance, feeling life (affects), and self-care. Alcoholics Anonymous is e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of substance abuse treatment 1994-03, Vol.11 (2), p.77-92
Main Authors: Khantzian, E.J., Mack, John E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Affective Symptoms - psychology
affects
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholism
Alcoholism - psychology
Alcoholism - rehabilitation
Biological and medical sciences
Desintoxication. Drug withdrawal
Effectiveness
Female
Group Dynamics
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Opioid-Related Disorders - psychology
Opioid-Related Disorders - rehabilitation
Organizational Structure
Patient Care Team
Physician Impairment
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Self Care - psychology
Self Help Groups
self-care
self-governance
self-repair
Social psychology
Substance abuse treatment
Treatments
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Description
Summary:Alcoholism is associated with tremendous suffering, psychological denial, and physical and emotional debilitation. Much of the suffering that plagues alcoholics is rooted in core problems with self-regulation involving self-governance, feeling life (affects), and self-care. Alcoholics Anonymous is effective because it is a sophisticated group psychology that effectively accesses, corrects, or repairs these core psychological vulnerabilities. The traditions of storytelling, honesty, openness, and willingness to examine (“take inventory”) character defects allow people to express themselves who otherwise do not feel or speak and help those who otherwise are deceitful (to self and others) and would deny vulnerability and limitation to openly admit to it.
ISSN:0740-5472
1873-6483
DOI:10.1016/0740-5472(94)90021-3