What Do I Need To Be A Member of AA?

“The first edition of the book of Alcoholics Anonymous makes this brief statement about membership: “the only requirement for membership is an honest desire to stop drinking. We are not allied with any particular faith, sect, or denomination nor do we oppose anyone. We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted.” This expressed our feeling as of 1939, the year our book was published. Since that day all kinds of experiments with membership have been tried…In some cases we would have been too discouraged by the demands made upon us. Most of the early members of AA would have been thrown out because they slipped too much, because their morals were too bad, because they had mental as well as alcoholic difficulties.”-pg.37 from The Language Of The Heart.

Over the next few days were going to take a look at what it means to be an alcoholic as well as some other issues surrounding this subject. Basically we are members of AA as soon as we seek alcohol addiction help and say we are. All we need is a desire to stop drinking. The word “honest” was later taken out of our statement on membership because while many of us want to stop drinking, get help at a drug addiction detox, Go to AA, go to some sort of 30 day rehab program, and make positive decisions that support our sobriety at the end of the day who has an honest desire to stop when we would still be drinking if it still worked for us? Furthermore an “honest desire” could mean so many things to so many people.so for clarity and to ensure everyone had a fair shot at achieving sobriety they took it out. Today as it stands nobody has a right to declare you alcoholic or non-alcoholic that is completely up to you to decide.

The Ins and Outs of Drug Rehab

As the premier drug rehab in California, Above It All treatment center’s commitment to education, comfort, and support is virtually unmatched. In this entry, we will seek to provide our readers with an in-depth look at the process by which our recovery process is run.

Referral

Patients come to Above It All through for an array of reasons. Because of the progressive nature of addiction, it is not uncommon for individuals who have experienced the continued negative consequences of the associated behaviors to seek help on their own. Other factors may include exterior pressures, such as legal issues, employers, or loved ones. Once a commitment to seek help has been made, the real recovery can begin.

Intake

Intake assessments are the initial step of the recovery process. During this period, facility counselors will ask an assortment of questions to better determine a care plan, which will ultimately dictate the type of treatment the patient will receive. Common questions typically revolve around the types of drugs being used, abuse histories, and the reasons for seeking help in the first place. Patients who are experiencing both substance abuse and mental health issues simultaneously are quite common. As such, staff members will generally request information pertaining to a patient’s mental health history, including current medications and symptoms.

This assessment also serves to help determine just how motivated a patient is to make chances, alongside any stressors that may inhibit the rehabilitation process.

Detox

Various types of substance addictions, such as heroin and alcohol will typically call for a medically monitored detox to help patients through the initial transition into sobriety. Without proper care, the risks of serious complications and physical harm are drastically heightened. The detoxification process can last anywhere from 3 to 10 days, and will include 24/7 staff monitoring. Patients in detox will be offered various medications throughout the process to ensure a comfortable and safe experience.

Short Term Treatment

In cases where detox is of no concern, patients may be offered short team rehab at varying intensity levels. This type of outpatient care is typically only offered to patients who are able to function sufficiently at home while still attending treatment. Patients will often be forced to submit to random urine screenings to help ensure that care is at the adequate level. Group and individual therapy is common, alongside a variety of therapeutic activities to help patients acquire the skills needed to enjoy a sober and happy lifestyle.

Long Term Care

Where more intensive measures are required, counselors may recommend residential long term care. The length of stay will vary from patient to patient, but generally averages around the 3-month mark. Within a long term care program, patients are afforded the opportunity to earn freedoms and responsibilities over time. Long term care provides patients with the ability to obtain the care they require without the distractions and stressors o