Jessie's Questions

Main Question: How come some people recover from alcoholism and others don’t?

About alcoholism: http://www.treatment-centers.net/alcoholism-statistics.html

1.      What makes a person relapse, even after 15 years?

·         Relapse and Craving: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/alerts/l/blnaa06.htm

·         10 reasons why someone would relapse: http://talkrehab.org/10-reasons-why-alcoholics-relapse/

·         Relapse warning signs: http://www.drug-rehabilitation.com/relapse_signs.htm

·         Common mistakes about relapse: http://www.tlctx.com/mist_pages/mistaken.htm

·         Triggers of relapse: http://www.psychpage.com/learning/library/assess/relapse.htm

2.      How does Alcoholics Anonymous work?

·         About the program: http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=1

·         Determining if you’re an alcoholic: http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=71

·         Is AA for you? http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=12

·         Wiki on AA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcoholics_Anonymous

·         AA and spirituality: http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-spirrel.html

·         12 step program: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-Step_Program

·         Success Rate: http://www.spiritualriver.com/what-is-the-success-rate-of-recovery-in-aa/

·         I see two reasons why Alcoholics Anonymous might not be the answer for someone, even though it is the leading recovery program for alcoholism. (1) it requires you to completely admit that you have a problem and are helpless before you can make any progress.  People with a lot of pride would have a problem with that and might prefer a program that would let them ease into this realization. (2) it is spiritual, not as much as it used to be.  But people who aren’t religious would have a very hard time with accepting the program if they don’t believe in a higher power.

3.      What is the most effective tool for recovery?

·         “Alcoholism is a deadly disease, not a moral issues.” http://silkworth.net/magazine_newspaper/ladies_home_journal_aug_1946.html

·         Moderation approach: http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/controversies/1109212610.html

·         All or nothing approach/ recovery statistics: http://www.peele.net/lib/allornothing.html

4.      How does having a family change how someone recovers from alcoholism?

·         Living with a recovering alcoholic: https://www.inspire.com/groups/health-news/discussion/living-with-a-recovering-alcoholic-1/

·         Alcoholism effect on the family: http://allpsych.com/journal/alcoholism.html

·         Understanding different roles of family members with an alcoholic in the family: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/info2/a/blfam.htm

·         How to help an alcoholic family member: http://www.narconon.org/drug-rehab/alcoholic-family.html

5.      What causes someone to decide to get help for their alcoholism?

·         Why do alcoholics decide to quit drinking: http://alcoholism.about.com/od/intervention/a/uc_ron.htm

·         Hitting rock bottom: http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/support/a/aa031997.htm

·         What it’s like to hit rock bottom (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21JJ7QxqDcU