Alcoholics Anonymous
Steps 1-6

Studies have shown consistently that those who attend Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in an attempt to conquer a problem with alcoholism are among the most likely to successfully beat the problem. In this article, well examine some of the basic beliefs of the Alcoholics Anonymous program the first six of the twelve steps as they are commonly known. Many people live their lives based on the twelve step program and they find that it makes it all the easier to keep them from drinking.

The first step in AA is to admit that you are powerless over alcohol, and that your life has become unmanageable. Honesty is one of the first things to go when an individual becomes an alcoholic, and it consequently needs to become one of the first things to address when trying to get over the problem.

The second step is to work with your faith. This step involves making an admission that the only way that you will be able to beat your problem with alcoholism is to rely on a force greater than your own to help restore your life, be it God or any other spiritual force that may guide you.

The third step to Alcoholics Anonymous is based upon surrender. This step involves letting go of the life that you previously lived that contributed to your problem with alcoholism, and turning it over to a force greater than yourself.

The fourth step of AA can be difficult for many people to face up to. This step involves making a moral inventory of your life, not leaving out any aspect of yourself due to fear. Only by acknowledging the bad parts of your life will you be able to successfully work towards removing them. This is a true step of transformation as you begin to learn more about yourself, both good and bad.

The fifth step is said to be the most difficult by many individuals. This step elaborates on step four, and it involves admitting to your higher power, yourself, and the others in your life the exact nature of the problems that are present within your life. While it may not be that difficult to confront yourself or speaking to your higher power, many people find that it is a struggle to admit their problems to other individuals. It works as a type of baptism, in the way that you are facing up to the problems of your past and working towards creating a better future.

Did You Know

Alcoholism is influenced by both hereditary and environmental factors. Addictions, particularly addictions to alcohol tend to run in families and it is known that genes to play a role in that process.

Research has shown in recent years that people who have/had alcoholic parents are more likely to develop the same disorder themselves. Interestingly, men have a greater propensity towards alcoholism in this circumstance than women. People with lowered inhibitions are at an even greater risk for becoming alcoholics.

The two main characteristics for becoming addicted to alcohol stem from having an immediate family member who is an alcoholic and having a high-risk personality. A person with a high-risk personality is one where he or she has lower inhibitions and thrives on taking risks in most all situations.

If a person comes from a family with one or more alcoholics and likes to take risks, they should recognized that they are at what is considered high risk for becoming an alcoholic.

At this time, it is thought that the genetic tendency toward alcoholism in a person does not ensure that he or she will become an alcoholic but instead just means that those people feel the effects of the alcohol more intensely and quickly. In effect, the determination of genetic risk is only a determination of higher risk toward the addiction and not necessarily an indication of future alcoholism.

The sixth step in the program involves accepting yourself as you are. In this step, you need to ensure that you are ready to give up all of the faults that were holding you back in your previous life. It can be difficult to do, considering that you have probably become quite comfortable in the way that you were formerly living your life.

Interesting Facts

Talk to someone if you find that drinking is becoming a problem. Seek the assistance of Alcoholics Anonymous. That's what they are there for.

It is a key step, however, when it comes to advancing your life past the point that it is at. Hopefully, this article helped to clear up some of the basics of the Alcoholics Anonymous program for you. Many find it to be useful, and you should seriously consider attending meetings if you have a problem with alcohol.

Alcoholism in the News

09/05/2008
When sex becomes an addiction (CNN.com)
"Californication" star David Duchovny made headlines for voluntarily entering rehab last week. But it wasn't for drugs or alcohol. It was for another dependency, one that affects millions of Americans but is seldom discussed: sex addiction.

When sex becomes an addiction (CNN.com)

09/04/2008
Women who binge drink at greater risk of unsafe sex and sexually transmitted disease (EurekAlert!)
( Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research ) Binge drinking (5 or more alcoholic beverages at one time) is associated with risky sexual behaviors. A new study examined this association by gender at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Binge drinking increased the risk of unsafe sexual behaviors and having an STD for women patients.

Women who binge drink at greater risk of unsafe sex and sexually transmitted disease (EurekAlert!)

09/05/2008
BC BREAKING NEWS: (Kelowna Capital News)
A truck sits in the sushi restaurant that it plowed into only moments earlier Thursday evening in Maple Ridge. One person was killed and six are in hospital.

BC BREAKING NEWS: (Kelowna Capital News)

09/04/2008
Women who binge drink at greater risk of unsafe sex and sexually transmitted disease (EurekAlert!)
( Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research ) Binge drinking (5 or more alcoholic beverages at one time) is associated with risky sexual behaviors. A new study examined this association by gender at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Binge drinking increased the risk of unsafe sexual behaviors and having an STD for women patients.

Women who binge drink at greater risk of unsafe sex and sexually transmitted disease (EurekAlert!)

09/05/2008
Neighborhood Alcohol Outlets Tied to Kids' Injury Risk (MedicineNet.com)
Title: Neighborhood Alcohol Outlets Tied to Kids' Injury Risk Category: Health News Created: 9/5/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 9/5/2008

Neighborhood Alcohol Outlets Tied to Kids' Injury Risk (MedicineNet.com)

09/05/2008
Video: Legalize it? (The Daily News)
A recent string of local and regional marijuana busts has sparked a lively debate within our story comments regarding the benefits and/or problems associated with the legalization of marijuana.

Video: Legalize it? (The Daily News)

09/05/2008
Former Fresno DA learned law the hard way (The Fresno Bee)
William Ardell "Bill" Smith, a former Fresno County district attorney, then a renowned defense attorney, admitted to struggles with chronic alcoholism that never eclipsed his reputation for character and honesty in his professional and personal life.

Former Fresno DA learned law the hard way (The Fresno Bee)

09/05/2008
For Even Healthy Men, Alcohol Seems to Lower Heart Attack Risk (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)
FRIDAY, Sept. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Suppose you're a healthy, physically fit, nonsmoking male. Your risk of heart attack is already low. Would having a drink or two of alcohol a day provide any additional protective benefit?

For Even Healthy Men, Alcohol Seems to Lower Heart Attack Risk (HealthDay via Yahoo! News)

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Better Your Health

Alcoholism is a Widespread Problem


◦	What the Bible Says About Alcohol Abuse

◦	The Difference Between Alcohol Dependence And Alcohol Abuse

◦	What is the Attraction To Alcohol

◦	FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 1

◦	FAQ's About Alcoholism Pt 2

◦	A Brief Summary Regarding Alcoholism

◦	Alcohol Abuse and the College Campus

◦	The Brain And Alcohol

◦	Health Risks For Women Alcoholics

◦	Holiday Survival Guide For The Alcoholic

◦	How A Child See's Alcoholism

◦	Alcoholism Detoxification Steps

◦	Alcoholism and the Workplace

◦	The Children of Alcoholics

◦	Common Questions About Alcoholism

◦	Tests for Alcohol Use

◦	Do All Alcoholics Need a Rehab Center

◦	The Dangers and Penalties Of Drinking and Driving

◦	The War On Drunk Driving

◦	How To Determine When Someone Needs Professional Help

◦	Some Facts About Alcoholism

◦	Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

◦	Diet Hints To Assist With Alcoholism Withdrawal

◦	Helping Someone To Overcome Alcoholism

◦	Alcoholism Risk Is Linked to Early Aged Drinking

◦	A Portrait Of An Alcoholic

◦	The Symptoms of Alcoholism

◦	Basic Facts About Alcoholism

◦	Hard Facts About Alcoholism

◦	Cautions Concerning Non Alcoholic Beer

◦	The College Campus And Alcoholism

◦	Dangers of Alcoholism

◦	Alcoholics Anonymous Steps 1-6

◦	Alcoholics Anonymous Steps 6-12

◦	What Causes An Alcoholic Blackout

◦	New Shot to Treat Alcoholism

◦	Alcoholism's Physical Effects

◦	Group Support For Alcoholism

◦	Threats From Alcoholism

◦	The Truth About Alcoholism

◦	Treating The Three Main Issues In Alcoholism

◦	Treatments for Alcoholism

◦	Vitamins and Supplements For The Alcoholic

◦	Recovering From Alcoholism

◦	Help Your Teen Avoid Becoming An Alcoholic

◦	What Is Alcholism

◦	Family Members Drinking Too Much

◦	Explain Alcoholism

◦	Who Are The Alcoholics

◦	Women Fighting The Consequences of Alcoholism

◦	Al Anon Support For The Alcoholic's Family

◦	Health Consequences Of Alcoholism

◦	Medications Used For Treating Alcoholism

◦	Screening Tests For Alcoholism

◦	What Is The Difference Between Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism

◦	How to Stop Drinking Alcohol without AA

◦	The Truth About Alcoholics Anonymous

◦	Alcoholism - Curable or Just Controllable

◦	The Causes of Alcoholism

◦	So How Much Drinking Really Is Too Much?

◦	Is Alcoholism Hereditary

◦	What Children Need to Know About Alcohol

◦	How to Recognize When Children are Drinking

◦	What You Need to Know about how to Set Up an Intervention for an Alcoholic

◦	How to Quit Drinking Without Gaining Weight

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