This document discusses alcoholism and its impacts. It describes alcoholism as a chronic disease where drinking is used to cope with stress and problems. Alcoholism harms individuals physically, mentally, and spiritually. It also greatly impacts families of alcoholics, often causing children issues. The best treatment is Alcoholics Anonymous, a 12-step program founded in 1935 to help alcoholics maintain sobriety. It focuses on admitting powerlessness over alcohol and trusting a higher power to aid in recovery.

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Alcoholism and its Abuses:
How Alcoholics Anonymous Really Works
Taylor Agapite
Comparative Politics 12
Mrs. Ginnetty
Theology/Philosophy 12
Mrs. Elrod
April 11, 2014

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Alcoholism is a chronic disease that consists of the inability to control your drinking and
the use of alcohol as an excuse to deal with stress.(Diseases and Conditions: Alcoholism­Mayo
Clinic) Alcoholics know that their drinking may be causing problems, but they are unable to admit
that it is the alcohol that is the root of the problem. Alcoholics acknowledge the discontent in their
lives and often choose drinking as an escape from their issues when the real issue ends up
being their abuse of alcohol. The cycle will often continue. However, there are opportunities of
ending the nearly perpetual cycle, which, in the best case, includes loved ones suggesting help
or the alcoholic getting help on their own. On the other hand, some alcoholics have to resort to
hitting “rock bottom” in order to fight their disease. “Rock bottom” for some includes being
placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol or destroying the relationships that
they had once had. While discussing alcoholism and its abuses, the paper will be looked at
through the lens of the impact of the individual. What most people do not know, is that
Alcoholism is a disease and is extremely harmful to those with the disease and their loved ones.
Alcoholism does not only harm the body physically but the disease spiritually and mentally
tortures the human person. One of the best forms of treating the disease is through Alcoholics
Anonymous, which is a Twelve Step program allowing alcoholics to be social, open to
transcendence, and unite the body and the soul.
It is said that Alcoholism is a family disease. The meaning of a family disease does not
necessarily mean that other members within the family are also alcoholics, but means that if one
person is an alcoholic, the impact it has on other members of the family is great. Alcoholism has
a large affect on families, which oftentimes causes strife and sometimes even divorce. Children
of alcoholics tend to do poorly in school and have more problems dealing with anxiety and
depression than the child of a non­alcoholic. They also lack the ability to express themselves.
Children of alcoholics are also more susceptible to becoming alcoholics later in life. These

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children see their alcoholic parent seek alcohol whenever they feel the need to forget or
whenever they're going through a difficult time. The children then pick up on those habits and use
them later on in their adolescent years. (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:
Children of Alcoholics) “The child may see himself or herself as the main cause of the mother's
or father's drinking” (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Children of
Alcoholics). They often will blame themselves for being the reason that their alcoholic parent
drinks. It is also extremely embarrassing for the child to have friends over when an alcoholic
parent comes home intoxicated. The child of the alcoholic usually will either uncomfortably
explain to their friend the situation or he or she will avoid having friends over altogether. This
embarrassment may lead to resentment towards the alcoholic parent when they drink and in
some cases, the children will show anger towards the non­alcoholic parent for “lack of support
and protection”(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Children of Alcoholics).
“The alcoholic parent will change suddenly from being loving to angry, regardless of the child's
behavior. A regular daily schedule, which is very important for a child, does not exist because
bedtimes and mealtimes are constantly changing” (American Academy of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry: Children of Alcoholics). Emotionally, their children are unable to know how to act
around their alcoholic parent because the children do not know how their parent will react in any
situation.
Alcoholism is growing to be more and more common in teens due to the rise in the
number of young people who have had at least a taste of alcohol. The National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that “about 10.4 million young people between ages 12 and
20 drank more than ‘just a few sips’ of alcohol” and “By age 18, more than 70% of teens have
had at least one drink.” (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Underage Drinking)
The older a teen gets, the more they end up drinking. Teens do drink less often than adults,

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however, when teens drink, they tend to binge. Teenagers’ abilities to get alcohol is becoming
increasingly easier than in the past. Teens have a few options of obtaining alcohol ­­ either they
have older siblings or friends who are of age to purchase alcohol or teens have false
identification, which allows them to purchase the alcohol themselves. “Research shows that
brain development continues well into a person’s twenties. Alcohol can affect this development,
and contribute to a range of problems” (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism:
Underage Drinking). What many of these teens do not know is that underage drinking has a
variety of negative effects. The United States Government has made 21 the legal drinking age for
a reason, greatly to protect minors and young adults who are still developing.
It could be said that there are two types of teenage alcoholics, one being those who are
children of alcoholics and the other being those who have picked it up on their own. Those who
have picked it up on their own often drink to forget. Drinking to forget is when teenagers use
alcohol as a source of escaping their lives temporarily and they see alcohol as a means to forget
what is going on in their life. “To them, their alcoholic life seems the only normal one. They are
restless, irritable, and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and
comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks” (Alcoholics Anonymous­ “The Big Book”­
The Doctor’s Opinion). The sensation of craving alcohol will repeat over and over again unless
the alcoholic is able to control their desire for alcohol. The second type of teenage alcoholics are
those who have alcoholic parents and inherit their alcoholic tendencies. Teenagers of alcoholic
parents are more susceptible to becoming alcoholics or addicts of some sort. These teenagers
have seen the way their parents act and how alcohol affects these adults. If their parent does
come home drunk, the parent often says things they do not mean, but actually end up hurting the
teenager. It is highly possible that the teenager will then begin drinking to forget what they are
going through at home, or even use drugs as a source of an escape. (Interview of Cynthia A.­An

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Alcoholics Anonymous Member)
The best known treatment for alcoholics is Alcoholics Anonymous. “The origins of AA can
be traced back to the Oxford Group which was a religious movement in the US and Europe in
the early 20th Century who practiced a self­improvement of self­inventory, admitting wrongs,
making amends, using prayer and meditation, and carrying the message to others”(Alcoholics
Anonymous: Origins) The co­founders are Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Silkworth who established the
method in 1935. Alcoholics Anonymous is a Twelve Step program which helps alcoholics
become and stay sober. The first step is “admitting that the alcoholic has become powerless
over alcohol and that their lives have become unmanageable because of alcohol” (Twelve Steps
and Twelve Traditions). Other steps include making a list of those whom the alcoholic has hurt
and to become willing to make amends with all. Also, another step is believing that a Power
Greater than Ourselves is going to help the alcoholic if they are willing to help themselves
(Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). The Twelve Steps are the center of many recovery
programs and guide those dealing with addiction to live a better life. To summarize the Twelve
Steps, the alcoholic shall trust in God, have a ‘clean’ house and to help others (Interview with
Cynthia A.­ an Alcoholics Anonymous Member).
“The Big Book” which is formally called Alcoholics Anonymous includes a collection of
many different influential success stories of many members in Alcoholics Anonymous. The first
story shared is the story of the co­founder, Bill Wilson. "An alcoholic from New York has a vision
of the way to sobriety and is introduced to a like­minded doctor from Akron. Their first meeting
will lead to the creation of a Twelve Step recovery program and a book that will change the lives
of millions" (Alcoholics Anonymous webpage). Bill had problems with drinking, seeked medical
help and found that he was able to stop drinking through a powerful spiritual experience by
practicing the Oxford Group principles. (Alcoholics Anonymous­ “The Big Book”­Bill’s Story) He

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was able to stop drinking and worked the rest of his life bringing that freedom and peace of
staying sober to other alcoholics and A.A. was created.
There are several different types of Alcoholic Anonymous meetings. Some do include the
stereotypical, “Hi, I am (insert name) and I’m an Alcoholic” with the response of the group, “Hi,
(repeat name),” however there are other meetings that alcoholics have the option of going to.
Having different forms of meetings allows there to be more comfort for the alcoholic. At the
meetings where they go around the room and everyone talks, the leader of the group gives a
topic to guide their discussion. Another type of meeting is where there are designated speakers
who tell the group about their struggle with alcohol and how coming to Alcoholics Anonymous
has been one of the best things that could have happened to them. The alcoholics share their
stories and explain that “they did not know what they did not know”(Interview with Cynthia A.­an
Alcoholics Anonymous Member). Meaning, that once an alcoholic becomes sober and their head
becomes clear, they begin to realize the chaos they caused to their own lives, their families, and
their work life. (Interview with Cynthia A.­an Alcoholics Anonymous Member)
One form of Alcoholics Anonymous that many people who are unfamiliar with Alcoholics
Anonymous is Al­Anon. Al­Anon is a type of Alcoholics Anonymous meeting where the alcoholic
is not the only one going to the meetings. At Al­Anon, friends and family members who are both
supporting and may have been affected by the Alcoholic are able to go and discuss what they
are going through and seek help for themselves. Since the Alcoholic is not the only person
affected. Al­Anon is a highly beneficial meeting for Alcoholics and their families and friends. The
belief of Al­Anon is that it gives family members of alcoholics the feeling that they are not alone.
Sharing stories and how one gets through life with an alcoholic somehow eases the pain of
everyday life. (Al­Anon Family Groups: Dealing with the Elephant in the Room: Alcoholism)
Alcoholics Anonymous suggests that a Higher Power could restore the alcoholic to sanity

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because the alcoholic would not be able to do it on their own. Alcoholism is a mental, spiritual
and physical disease where an active alcoholic loses their mental, physical, and spiritual
aspects to deal with life on lifes terms. (Interview with Cynthia A.­ an Alcoholics Anonymous
Member)
Human dignity is the actual worth of the human being.(Catechism of the Catholic Church)
While teen alcoholics and adult alcoholics both diminish their self­worth, the outward signs
greatly differ. The teen alcoholic takes selfish risks and foolish choices while the adult alcoholic
takes those same foolish choices and selfish risks, but they also have an effect on those around
them specifically their children. While intoxicated, teens often get taken advantage of and have a
habit of not caring about their own health and safety. On the other hand, alcoholic parents are not
sufficient educators for their children and the alcoholic does not give their spouse or children the
attention and love that they need.
“Five thousand people under the age of 21 die each year from alcohol­related issues, for
example, car accidents, homicides, suicides, alcohol poisoning, and other injuries such as falls,
burns and drowning. More than one­hundred and ninety thousand people under the age of 21
visited an emergency room for alcohol­related injuries in 2008 alone” (National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Underage Drinking). These young adults are not aware of the
many negative effects alcohol potentially has for them. Almost every underage person believes
that they have not drank enough for them to be at risk for being in a car accident and most of
them do not understand how much is too much. “Drinking can cause kids to make poor
decisions which can result in risky behavior like drinking and driving, sexual activity, or violence”
(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Underage Drinking). If someone has been
drinking they are unable to make the same decisions as they would if they were sober. “Men and
women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol. The sensation is so

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elusive that, while they admit it is injurious, they cannot after a time differentiate the true from the
false” (Alcoholics Anonymous­ “The Big Book”­The Doctor’s Opinion). Though, many people
admit that alcohol has many negative effects on them, they decide to drink anyway because they
enjoy feeling that alcohol gives them. An example of this is where a young woman is intoxicated
and is taken advantage of by a young man and the woman has a great risk of potentially being
raped.
Alcohol has countless effects on the human body whether the person drinks on a single
occasion or over time, including effects on the heart, brain, liver, pancreas, immune system and
even increases the risk of cancer. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcohol’s
Effects on the Body) Alcoholics acquire a phenomenon of craving alcohol and will do almost
anything to extinguish that craving. Those who drink in order to extinguish the craving of alcohol
do not drink to forget, but drink solely to satisfy the craving. Alcoholism affects not only the body
but also the soul of the alcoholic. Alcohol strips the alcoholic of their spirituality and they tend to
put alcohol before anything else, including God. (Alcoholics Anonymous­ “The Big Book”­The
Doctor’s Opinion)
The human dignity of the family members is also diminished by the alcoholic parent and it
sometimes is almost as if the parent is not even there. The alcoholic sometimes isolates
themselves except when they are intoxicated and will start fights with their spouse and/or
children. The children and spouse do not get the attention and love that they need from the
alcoholic parent (Al­Anon Family Groups: Dealing with the Elephant in the Room: Alcoholism).
Unfortunately, when the spouse or an older child decides to confront the alcoholic parent with the
issue of their alcoholism, the alcoholic does not believe that alcohol is the problem. Oftentimes
the alcoholic will blame everything else but the alcohol because they consider the alcohol to be

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their friend who takes all their worries away, metaphorically.
Since the alcoholic does not see alcohol as the problem, they do not believe that they
need to seek help. It usually will take a DUI or an alcohol­related accident for the alcoholic to see
that the alcohol is doing more harm than good. Many judges in the court system require a
number of Alcoholic Anonymous meetings for any offense having to do with alcohol. Alcoholics
Anonymous helps the alcoholic to either fully quit drinking or at least lessen the addiction.
Alcoholics Anonymous is highly beneficial for alcoholics and aids the alcoholic to flourish, which
enhances their human dignity.
“The human person is essentially a social being because God, who created humanity,
willed it so” (Compendium 149). Alcoholics Anonymous has several social aspects of the
program in which the alcoholic can release their thoughts and problems. Talking about their
situations is very therapeutic because bottling everything up and letting all of their issues build up
does more harm than good. It is suggested that the alcoholic relates to the speaker and that they
should not compare situations, which allows the alcoholics to not feel alone. (Interview with
Cynthia A.­ an Alcoholics Anonymous Member) Alcoholics Anonymous recommends having a
sponsor who helps guide you to stay on track for sobriety and who is also an alcoholic but with
more years of sobriety. Alcoholics Anonymous sponsors act similarly to a confirmation sponsor,
they are there for you whenever you need help. If the alcoholic is ever feeling tempted to drink,
instead of picking up a drink, they can pick up their phone and call their sponsor. Many sponsors
recommend substituting the craving for alcohol with something else. For example, every time an
alcoholic wants to pick up a drink they can go for a run or exercise, eat oreos, or anything to
replace the alcohol craving.
“Social activity carries in itself a particular sign of man and of humanity that of a person

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at work within a community of persons: this is the sign that determines man's interior traits and
in a sense constitutes his very nature” (Compendium 149). Since Alcoholics Anonymous has
different forms of meetings, it allows alcoholics to customize the number and types of meetings
they can go to. If an alcoholic is shy, they have meetings that you can just come and listen and
when they are ready they are able to share their story. However, if you are a more outgoing
person, there are meetings where you can share your story and talk about your situation. The
idea is to accommodate all types of alcoholics because though they all have the same disease,
they all have different personalities and different ways of coping.
“Openness to transcendence belongs to the human person: man is open to the infinite
and to all created beings. He is open above all to the infinite God” (Compendium 130).
Alcoholism diminishes the ability of the alcoholic to flourish. Alcoholics are unable to become the
best version of themselves with the disease. AA allows alcoholics to take control of their life and
it gives them the ability to become the best version of themselves. The second step of Alcoholics
Anonymous is, “Come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”
(Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). Many alcoholics have convinced themselves that they
can control their own drinking but in reality they are unable to. In Alcoholics Anonymous,
alcoholics will be able to become and stay sober if they ask a Higher Power to remove the
obsession for a drink.
In the Alcoholics Anonymous book, there is a chapter, pages 58 to 71, dedicated to
explaining how Alcoholics Anonymous works. “Rarely have we seen a person fail who has
thoroughly followed our path” (Alcoholics Anonymous­ “The Big Book”­ How it Works). The
importance of honesty when working through the Twelve Steps, is imperative for the desire of
alcohol to be removed. It is suggested that an alcoholic works the Twelve Steps with a spiritual

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advisor, priest, or sponsor. Additional suggestions are to have constant contact with a Higher
Power, frequently attend meetings, talk to other alcoholics, and practice the principles of the
Twelve Steps in all affairs.
“The new relationships of interdependence between individuals and peoples, which are
de facto forms of solidarity, have to be transformed into relationships tending towards genuine
ethical­social solidarity” (Compendium 193). As previously stated, Alcoholics Anonymous is a
social program, including the sponsors and the meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are
run with groups of alcoholics who work together to uphold their sobriety. If one member is
struggling, other members help in any way they can to keep the struggler on track. Alcoholics
share their personal stories about their problems with alcohol in these meetings. They share
their stories because it helps other alcoholics feel like they are not alone or the only ones
struggling with alcohol addiction. “When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely
result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know” (As Bill Sees It. Page 37). In
some situations, alcoholics are able to see that maybe their situation could be worse, therefore
the alcoholics grow more appreciation for the things in their life that they could have easily lost.
Many people have their doubts about Alcoholics Anonymous and if it really works, but the
determination of the men and women of Alcoholics Anonymous is impeccable. Tradition Five of
Alcoholics Anonymous states, “Each group has but one primary purpose­ to carry its message
to the alcoholic who still suffers” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). For one alcoholic to help
another alcoholic will benefit both alcoholics. “Sobriety can’t be kept unless it is given away”
(Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). An example that may be easier to understand is when
two students are helping each other study and one student is quizzing the other, the more they
are able to discuss the topic, the more they can both grasp the topic.

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When a new person comes into AA, they have many losses in their life. Alcohol has
taken everything away from them whether it be material or spiritual or both. As that individual
becomes familiar with AA and the teachings of Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson, they grow spiritually and
become useful to themselves and their family. Alcoholics Anonymous promises this to every
individual who “thoroughly follows it’s path” (Alcoholics Anonymous­ “The Big Book”­ How it
Works).

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WORKS CITED PAGE
1) Book: A.A. World Services, Inc., comp. Alcoholics Anonymous. Fourth ed. N.p.: n.p.,
2011. Print.
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