Find Recovery Editorial Team, Author at Find Recovery

Why Is Anonymity A Part Of AA?

Anonymity in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs helps foster a safe and supportive environment for members to share their experiences, seek guidance, and receive help without fear of judgment or exposure. It’s been a critical element of AA since its inception in 1939. And it plays a crucial role in today’s AA environment. This includes the right to your own anonymity and the respect for fellow members’ anonymity.

1. It Protects The Privacy And Anonymity Of AA members

Many people are not ready to go public about their alcoholism. Some of them experience alcoholism without their social circle’s knowledge and may feel ashamed of their addiction.

Since everyone experiences addiction differently, the wishes of those who want to stay anonymous should be respected. Protecting their anonymity ensures their participation and helps AA communities grow. Members are encouraged to keep their involvement in AA private in public. Still, they may inform their loved ones about it if they want.

2. Encourages Honesty And Openness In AA meetings

In AA meetings, anonymity is a tool that empowers members to admit their addiction to others in similar circumstances. Without the safety net of anonymity, many would not be willing to disclose their thoughts and feelings during meetings or attend them at all.

3. Reduces Stigma to Create A Safe, Non-judgmental Space For Sharing

Substance addiction and its mental health elements carry a significant stigma today. Organizations are dedicated to de-stigmatizing addiction, but it’s a deeply-rooted part of our culture. Anonymity allows members to feel safe enough to open up to others and talk about their addiction, its causes, triggers, daily challenges, and more.

4. Encourages People To Seek Help

For those who have not yet sought help for their alcoholism, the knowledge that AA members take privacy very seriously is encouraging. They know at least one place where they’ll be safe to share their experiences privately.

5. Promotes Humility in Meetings

Anonymity in AA helps to promote humility and reduce the risk of ego-driven behaviors, such as seeking recognition or status within the group. By removing the temptation to use AA as a platform for personal gain or recognition, anonymity helps to ensure that the focus remains on the program’s primary purpose, which is to help individuals recover from alcohol addiction.

Challenges of Anonymity in AA

While anonymity is a fundamental principle of AA, it can sometimes be subject to criticism or misconceptions. Some believe anonymity perpetuates shame and prevents individuals from seeking professional help. Many individuals in AA seek professional help, and anonymity can help them to do so without fear of negative consequences or judgment.

Others argue that anonymity prevents individuals from being held accountable for their actions. When in reality, anonymity in AA is not meant to absolve individuals of responsibility for their actions but rather to create a safe and non-judgmental space for them to seek support and recovery. AA members are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and make amends where appropriate, but this is done to promote healing and growth rather than shame or blame.

It’s essential to address these and other criticisms or misconceptions about anonymity in AA so that individuals can better understand its purpose and benefits in the recovery process.

The Benefits of Anonymity in AA

Anonymity in AA can bring numerous benefits to individuals in recovery. Some of these benefits include:

Increased trust: Anonymity can create a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to share their experiences and struggles with others who understand what they’re going through. This can foster a sense of trust and openness that can be difficult to find in other settings.
Maintenance of recovery outside of AA meetings: Anonymity can help individuals to maintain their recovery outside of AA meetings by allowing them to separate their personal and professional lives from their participation in AA. This can help them to avoid potential negative consequences or stigma related to their addiction and to focus on their sobriety and well-being.
Reduced stigma or discrimination: Unfortunately, there is still much stigma and discrimination surrounding addiction and recovery. Anonymity can help to protect individuals in recovery from these negative attitudes, allowing them to maintain their dignity and self-respect. This can be especially important for individuals in the early stages of recovery, who may be vulnerable to judgment or criticism from others.

Overall, anonymity in AA can be a powerful tool for promoting trust, community, and self-respect among individuals in recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, don’t hesitate to seek help. Attending an AA meeting can be your first step in long-term recovery.

Is There a Safe Amount of Alcohol?

How much alcohol is safe to drink? That depends on your definition of the word “safe”. Despite healthy drinking guidelines decreasing the risks, there really isn’t a safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed without some level of risk.

However, that’s not to say that all levels of alcohol consumption are equally dangerous. Which drinking behaviors are more likely to result in adverse outcomes like addiction, overdose, or death: having a single glass of wine with dinner or binge drinking once a month? (Hint: It’s the latter). If you’re looking to engage in safe alcohol consumption, there are a few things you can do. But first, a closer look at why “everything in moderation” doesn’t apply to drinking booze.

The Deadly Side of Drinking: Why There’s No “Safe” Level of Alcohol consumption

According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is responsible for more than 3 million deaths per year, making it one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. Alcohol use is also a significant contributor to the global burden of disease, causing a wide range of health problems, including liver disease, cancer, and mental health disorders.

Even Small Amounts Can Cause Harm

One of the main reasons why there is no safe amount of alcohol is that the risks associated with alcohol consumption are dose-dependent. The more alcohol a person consumes, the higher their risk of harm.

A 2018 study found that even low levels of alcohol consumption were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. The study, which analyzed data from 599,912 current drinkers in 19 countries, found that the risk of all-cause mortality increased by 7% for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day. The risk of cancer increased by 5% for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day, while the risk of cardiovascular disease increased by 4% for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed per day.

But even the occasional drinkers aren’t off the hook. Low levels of alcohol consumption can still be problematic, increasing the risk of certain health problems, such as breast cancer, liver disease, and high blood pressure. For individuals with a predisposition for mental illness or addiction, their risk is even higher.

Alcohol Affects Everyone Differently

Another reason why there is no safe level of alcohol consumption is that alcohol does not affect everyone the same way–so the risks associated with alcohol consumption vary as well. These risks can depend on a person’s age, gender, and BMI, as well as other factors like their stress levels and the types of alcohol-busting enzymes they were born with. Essentially, some people are naturally more susceptible to the worst of alcohol’s consequences.

Women, for example, are more susceptible to the harmful effects of alcohol than men when they consume the same amount of alcohol. This is for several reasons. One: women have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that helps break down alcohol in the liver. Two: women have less muscle mass. Muscle has higher water content, and can dilute the alcohol levels in the body. Since women have higher body fat percentages, this leads women to higher blood alcohol concentrations when they drink the same amount as men.

Alcohol use can have particularly harmful effects on young people, whose brains are still developing. Studies have shown that heavy alcohol use during adolescence can lead to long-term changes in the brain, including alterations in the structure and function of the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and other higher-level cognitive functions. Brains aren’t considered fully developed until the age of 25.

Healthy Alcohol Consumption Tips

The most common advice about drinking safe amounts of alcohol is to do so in moderation. However, “moderate” alcohol consumption varies depending on who you ask. Some organizations, like the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute of Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA), define moderate drinking as less than 2 drinks per day for men or 1 drink per day for women. The World Health Organization asserts that there is no safe amount.

Still, here are 3 things you can do to lower your risk when drinking:

According to the NIHAAA, a standard drink is the equivalent of 14 grams of alcohol. Be mindful of your pours to safely stick to the 1-2 drink moderation guideline.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Carbs are highly effective in delaying alcohol absorption.
Drink water in between alcoholic beverages. This will slow down your alcohol consumption and dilute the amount of alcohol in the blood.

If you or a loved one drinks too much but is having difficulty reducing their alcohol consumption on their own, joining an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting offers a free, no-commitment, community to get help. Find one near you, today.

Cocaine and Alcohol Abuse: The Benefits of AA, NA & CA for Quitting

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA) are non-professional addiction recovery meeting groups that have been around for decades.

AA is the oldest, founded in the 1930s as a safe space for people recovering from alcohol abuse. In the meetings, people ready to quit drinking gathered to share their experiences in open discussions. Over time, The 12-Step Program created for AA became popular, and other organizations adopted it for other substances, such as cocaine and narcotics.

Attending support group meetings is a huge part of addiction recovery. It’s said that participation in these groups can bring tremendous benefits, including long-lasting recovery.

1. Offers Ongoing Support And Accountability

Attending support group meetings means being surrounded by a group of people who have gone or are going through similar struggles as us. Feeling heard and understood helps create a sense of community. At the same time, being part of a community helps us feel like we belong, contributing to a sense of safety and security.

In addition to an overall sense of support and community, support groups may help participants develop personal accountability by interacting with others in similar circumstances.

Seeing how others have dealt with the consequences of their addiction gives attendants context on how to manage life as a recovering addict. It helps them understand how to enforce personal accountability for their actions and the benefits of doing this.

2. Gives Participants Structure And Routine

Structure and routine are fundamental factors of success in addiction recovery. Boredom and a lack of a consistent day-to-day routine can significantly trigger cravings and increase the risk of relapse.

Life during recovery can be chaotic, unbalanced, and unpredictable. One of the best ways to set the foundation for successful recovery is to establish and stick to a daily structure. This is why many rehab programs focus on strict routines. This helps infuse a sense of organization in a life that can be otherwise very disorganized.

Something as seemingly simple as going to bed at the same time every day and meditating daily can create a sense of productivity conducive to recovery. Regularly attending group meetings can be a form of structure, too, or at least become one of the pillars that support an addiction-free future.

3. Helps Participants Expand Their Coping Skills

Coping skills are the strategies people use to reduce psychological stress. In addiction recovery, developing coping skills provides multiple benefits, including identifying triggers for cravings and learning how to avoid thought patterns associated with drug use.

Group meetings allow members to exchange recovery-oriented coping strategies with each other. More than textbook knowledge, this way, they can learn from each other as they explore the triggers that put them at higher risk of relapsing and the methods they use to alleviate them.

Different events trigger different people. By listening to the experiences of others and how they handle triggers, attendees expand their coping skills.

4. Offers Spiritual And Emotional Support

Social support and healthy relationships are key elements of the recovery process. When you have a strong emotional support system, it can help:

Prevent feelings of social isolation that could lead to relapse.
Bridge the vulnerable period between stopping substance use and developing coping skills that help people get through life without using substances.
Receive encouragement from others who have been down a similar path and who personally understand your struggles.

Support groups like AA, NA, and CA provide a space where people can express their feelings about recovery and listen to the perspectives of others who are going or already went through that process.

Additionally, the 12 Steps are highly spiritual by nature. The spirituality of their message may help those in recovery to see their process as something larger than themselves as individuals. This may help them find purpose and meaning in their recovery, motivating them to stay on course.

5. Promotes Long-Term Recovery

Hard stats on success rates for support groups are hard to come by, and different sources provide very different numbers. The anonymous nature of these groups makes it difficult to get stats. Still, research shows that a combination of support groups with other forms of treatment can be highly effective.

Some research shows that those who participated in formal medical treatment and support groups were more likely to stay abstinent after one and three years than those who only entered formal treatment and those who only used support groups.

This shows that group meetings can be a legitimate source of recovery when integrated into a larger recovery plan. Increasing the likelihood of staying abstinent reduces the risk of relapse and improves overall well-being.

Another study found that higher levels of attendance to AA are related to higher rates of abstinence and that prior AA attendance is predictive of subsequent abstinence. The support provided by AA and all other groups spawned from its methods is proven to be effective.

AA, NA, & CA Can Be A Legitimate Source Of Recovery

Given these benefits and scientific evidence of the effectiveness of participation in support groups like AA, NA, and CA, it should be clear that integrating them into a recovery program can be a great way to strengthen coping habits and form stronger relationships with those around you.

Cocaine and alcohol are among some of the most socially accepted, yet addictive chemical substance around. They are found in clubs, bars, beyond and are often used together. If you struggle with alcohol and cocaine use, or any substance use, seeking treatment as soon as possible is essential. Once you do, attending support groups can be great for expanding coping skills, enjoying the benefits of social support, and developing productive structures to guide everyday life during recovery.

Talk to an addiction recovery specialist today about the right treatment program. They can also help you locate support group meetings in your area.

Alcoholic Hepatitis: 5 FAQs Answered

Alcoholic hepatitis is a common condition among heavy drinkers, with approximately 20% developing fatty liver, the first stage of the disease. About 10% to 15% of heavy drinkers reach cirrhosis, the final stage of alcoholic hepatitis. However, a common undiagnosed or misdiagnosed condition, some still have questions about alcoholic hepatitis. Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about this condition.

1. What is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Alcoholic hepatitis is a liver disease caused by alcohol consumption. The liver can tolerate up to a certain amount of alcohol and regenerate damaged cells and tissues. When alcohol consumption exceeds the liver’s limits for long periods, the liver becomes inflamed, and scars accumulate in the damaged areas, disrupting normal function and causing symptoms in other organs.

Alcoholic hepatitis has three stages, each more severe than the last:

Stage 1 – Alcoholic fatty liver disease: the liver suffers inflammation and enlarges, accumulating fatty tissue. The liver can become fatty within a few days of heavy drinking and is reversible if the person stops drinking. Fatty liver has no symptoms.
Stage 2 – Alcoholic hepatitis: after years of alcohol abuse (generally five or more), alcoholic hepatitis develops. Symptoms appear, but there’s still time to prevent further damage if the person stops drinking. It can be life-threatening in severe cases.
Stage 3 – Cirrhosis: the final and most severe stage with a higher potential to be lethal. The scarring has become so extensive that liver failure is likely, and chances of survival may be around 50% in 5 years. Abstinence is necessary to prevent further damage and improve outcomes.

2. What are the Symptoms of Alcoholic Hepatitis?

One of the biggest issues with alcoholic hepatitis is that it can remain asymptomatic for years before the illness advances. Mostly, people who don’t get annual health checks will only recognize alcoholic hepatitis when it reaches the end of stage two and the beginning of cirrhosis.

The most common signs and symptoms of hepatitis include:

Yellowing of the skin, teeth, and white of the eyes (jaundice)
Abdominal inflammation and pain
Fatigue and overall weakness
Appetite loss and subsequent weight loss and unexplained malnourishment
Nausea and vomiting
Built-up fluids in the abdomen
Fever
Light-colored feces

As the condition worsens, most people will also experience the following:

High fever.
Severe feelings of weakness and fatigue
Faster-than-normal heart rate
Thrombocytopenia (frequent bruises and bleeding)
Confusion and cognitive deterioration (hepatic encephalopathy)
Severe liver scarring
Higher likelihood of tumor formation and development of liver cancer

3. How is Alcoholic Hepatitis Diagnosed?

Because alcoholic hepatitis shares symptoms with other diseases, sometimes it remains undiagnosed. However, there are a series of tests that can help diagnose alcoholic hepatitis:

Blood tests determine whether there are infections, cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, and other symptoms.
Abdominal imaging, especially ultrasound, computer tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, especially in the upper right abdomen section.
Liver function tests (LFTs). Specific blood tests measure levels of proteins, enzymes, and bilirubin. LFTs help determine the scope of liver damage.
Liver biopsy. A biopsy is extracting a small tissue sample to perform tests and determine the extent of organ damage. A biopsy may be necessary if other tests have been inconclusive.
Endoscopy in the esophagus to determine whether varices have formed. Varices are an advanced symptom that may lead to internal bleeding, a life-threatening condition.

Tests can help determine whether a patient has alcoholic hepatitis, some other form of hepatitis, or both. It can also help determine the extent of the damage for treatment planning.

4. What are the Treatment Options for Alcoholic Hepatitis?

There are various treatment alternatives for alcoholic hepatitis:

Abstinence. Alcohol abstinence is the number one factor that helps patients prevent further damage and potentially regenerate at least some of the damaged tissue (in cases without extensive scarring). Alcohol rehabilitation services may be necessary.
Nutritional support for malnourishment. Alcoholic hepatitis patients are often malnourished due to a diminished appetite caused by alcohol consumption. A nutritionist can help them identify deficiencies and provide advice to compensate for them.
Short-term steroid use in severe cases. Although controversial due to potential side effects, short-term steroid use can increase survival rates in severe cases.
Liver transplants. Transplants are partial or total replacements of the patient’s organ with liver tissue from a donor. Transplants are reserved for severe cases where medical therapy is no longer effective.

Treatment for alcoholic hepatitis should be accompanied by lifestyle changes on the patient’s side, including a commitment to proper long-term nutrition and regular exercise. It’s essential to seek medical treatment as soon as possible when symptoms appear. An early diagnosis when the disease has not yet advanced to the later stages can help improve outcomes and quality of life.

5. How Can Alcoholic Hepatitis Be Prevented? Can It Be Cured?

Alcohol reduction or abstinence combined with improvements in overall nutrition is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis.

As part of treatment for ongoing alcoholic hepatitis, abstinence, and good nutrition help alleviate symptoms and prevent further damage.

At the fatty liver stage, several weeks of sobriety improve the condition. At the alcoholic hepatitis stage, permanent abstinence is recommended and will lead to a gradual recovery from symptoms. At the cirrhosis stage, scarring is generally irreversible, but quitting alcohol helps prevent further scarring and damage.

Whether it can be cured depends on how advanced it has become. At early stages, it can be reversed, but at later stages, it may become a chronic illness that can only be managed rather than cured.

Treating Alcoholism Helps Prevent Alcoholic Hepatitis

It usually takes multiple years of regular alcohol abuse for alcoholic hepatitis to develop. Still, one of the problems is that the first stage of the disease, fatty liver, shows no symptoms. Treating alcoholism early is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis.

Don’t wait until alcoholic hepatitis has taken hold. Seeking treatment early is the best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis and create healthier habits that can last a lifetime. If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol abuse, consider seeking help from an addiction specialist to prevent consequences like alcoholic hepatitis.

10 Signs of Opioid Addiction

Opioids can be natural (opium, morphine, codeine, etc.), semi-synthetic (heroin), or fully synthetic (fentanyl, methadone, etc.). These drugs have legitimate medical uses, generally for chronic and post-surgery pain. However, they also have a high potential for abuse and addiction.

As of 2022, opioid use disorders affect over 16 million people worldwide and close to 3 million in the US alone. Over 120,000 deaths every year are attributed to opioids. Being so widespread, learning to recognize the symptoms of opioid abuse and addiction is essential to help someone struggling with addiction.

While some signs of opioid addiction are easy to recognize, others can indicate different ailments. Here are the most common symptoms of opioid addiction to watch out for.

1. Constricted Pupils

“Opiate pupils” are a common sign of opioid abuse. When people use opioids, their pupils shrink, and they no longer change size as a response to different intensities of light exposure (as they usually would).

One of the side effects of abusing opioids is altering how the iris sphincter muscle works, making it permanently contract while the opioid is in effect. Opioid abuse has other potentially severe but little-known effects on vision, such as eye infections that could lead to pain, eye discomfort in bright light (photophobia), and vision loss.

2. Borrowing or “Losing” Medication

People addicted to opioids will likely ask friends or family members for their prescriptions. They won’t necessarily ask for specific drugs, but they’ll go to great lengths to get their hands on some medications. They might also claim that they “lost” their medication and need a refill or will ask someone for multiple pills until their refill is ready.

3. Doctor and Pharmacy Shopping

To help control opioid addiction, doctors and pharmacies have stringent prescription guidelines to follow. The idea is that if patients no longer have access to prescribed opioids, they will discontinue their use.

However, people addicted to opioids will engage in “doctor shopping,” a practice that involves going to different doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions. This way, they can continue to maintain a supply of opioids.

4. Noticeable Changes in Appearance

When someone abuses opioids, they’re more likely to neglect their appearance and personal hygiene. You’ll likely notice unexplained weight loss, less care for their appearance, and poor hygiene, like not bathing or washing their hair. You will also notice puncture wounds, scabs, and sores if they use IV drugs.

5. Changes in Social Circles

Surrounding one’s self with others who use drugs or otherwise enable drug use is one way to justify what would otherwise be a clear poor choice. It is a way to avoid guilt for making bad decisions. aturally, people can and do change and expand social circles. That’s not a cause for alarm on its own. But if a loved one shows signs of opioid abuse and has a sudden change of social circles, that may be an additional cause for concern.

6. Neglecting Responsibilities

When someone is addicted to a drug, their entire life eventually revolves around obtaining and consuming them. This makes establishing or maintaining personal and professional relationships with them hard due to the excessive attention they place on their drug use and recovering from drug use.

7. Risky Behaviors

Being addicted to any substance impairs judgment and may lead someone to risk their health and the health of others by engaging in risky behavior. This may include unprotected sexual relations and driving under the influence.

8. Obsession with Obtaining and Using Opioids

Drug addiction is characterized by drug-seeking behaviors, compulsive drug use, and the inability to interrupt use regardless of negative consequences. People addicted to opioids may try to manipulate their loved ones into providing them with opioids, spend large amounts of money on opioids, visit multiple doctors searching for prescription opioids (doctor shopping), and engage in other drug-seeking behaviors.

Bear in mind that they will not hesitate to lie about pain to receive prescriptions for opioids. They will go to lengths to steal from friends and family to continue their opioid supply.

9. Changes in Mood

Opioid addiction is associated with various behavioral changes, including unexpected and sudden mood changes. This looks like going from extreme joy to anger in short periods due to unpredictable triggers. People abusing opioids may also experience sudden, unprovoked outbursts, mainly when dealing with withdrawal symptoms.

Other psychosocial symptoms include depression, paranoia, and irritability.

10. Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal syndrome is an array of symptoms caused by the absence of the drug that the body has become used to receiving. Withdrawal symptoms may appear 12 to 48 hours after the last use and may last 10 to 20 days. Suddenly interrupting opioid use without treatment for withdrawal symptoms can be risky, so going through withdrawals in a medical setting is essential.

The most common opioid withdrawal syndrome symptoms are:

Severe anxiety
Restlessness and insomnia
Goosebumps and shaking
Frequent yawning
Runny nose and watery eyes
Abnormally dilated pupils
Aches around the body
Profuse sweating
Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps
Fever
Rapid breathing and heartbeat
High blood pressure
Hallucinations
Seizures

The Importance of Identifying the Signs of Opioid Addiction

Identifying signs of opioid addiction early and seeking treatment can be a lifesaver for loved ones who would’ve otherwise never sought help by themselves.

If you notice these signs in a loved one, seek help to schedule a professional intervention. When your loved one is ready, support them in seeking addiction treatment. Recovery is a long and uphill battle, but it’s worth fighting for. Be there for your loved one every step of the way, and seek help and support for yourself.

Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Religious Program?

The fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been around since 1935. During its 78-year history, some things have changed, and others have stayed the same. The AA organization has received its fair share of criticisms for various reasons. One of the most common is its perceived “religiousness.”

This article will explore AA’s relationship with religion and how this relationship has evolved over the years to become more “spiritually-minded” than religious.

Understanding AA’s Religious Roots

The first AA fellowship was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson (“Bill W.”) and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith (“Dr. Bob”) in Akron, Ohio, USA. They were members of a fundamentalist Protestant Christian movement, the Oxford Group. Some of the fundamental beliefs of the Oxford Group were absolute surrender to the Holy Spirit, purity, love, honesty, and unselfishness.

They had strong religious beliefs – a key part of their approach to sobriety.

The original “Alcoholics Anonymous” book, also known as “The Big Book,” was published in 1939 and contained the initial 12 Steps. The Steps remain at the core of AA to this day and have been adapted to other substances, like narcotics.

Of these original 12 Steps, Step 2 introduces the idea of a “power greater than ourselves” capable of returning us to sanity after falling into alcoholism.

Step 3 is the first to directly mention God “as we understood Him,” indicating that even in its original Christian form, the Steps allowed for some flexibility on the member’s part to input what they imagine to be their God or equivalent.

Steps 5, 6, 7, and 11 also directly mentioned God. Step 12 is focused on a “spiritual awakening.”

Steering from religiousness to spirituality

Over time, AA’s religious roots have caused some controversy, with some people refusing to participate in AA meetings for considering the group religious or going as far as to call it a “cult.”

In practice, however, AA meetings are inclusive to all kinds of people from all walks of life. AA members and speakers are open to all religions, including Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, Native American faith traditions, atheism, and agnosticism. It is not a core AA belief to pressure people into understanding the term “God” in the Protestant Christian context of its founders.

Even in their original, more explicitly religious form, the Steps clearly state that each attendee can understand God in their way, contrary to the belief that AA forces anyone to conform to the Christian God.

The word “God” remains in the 12 Steps the official AA website provides. However, some groups prefer providing non-religious support and have removed it from their Steps to offer a secular alternative.

Other practices, like reciting the Lord’s Prayer at the end of meetings, have slowly faded in all but the explicitly religious AA groups. And even in groups who still recite it, people are free not to participate if they wish.

Do Scientists Consider AA To Be “Religious”?

Finally, the opinion of experts is essential, too. On that note, a recent review categorically determined that dismissing AA as “religious” is a mistake.

AA also provides the added benefit of being free and available long-term for the communities around it. Denying the documented benefits of AA as a significantly valuable part of addiction treatment due to its perceived “religiousness” is contrary to decades worth of evidence.

Can AA’s spirituality drive some people away?

Even if AA’s concepts have become more spiritual than religious over time, the spiritual emphasis still resonates the most with people who already are religious or deeply spiritual before joining. Not religious or spiritual people may find it hard to relate to the Steps if they’re not used to engaging with terms like “Higher Power.”

If you want support groups, don’t let AA’s spirituality drive you away. AA members should not force others to share religious beliefs to participate in meetings. You will be welcomed regardless of religion, origin, background, race, or any other part of you.

Additionally, there are agnostic and atheistic AA groups.

Ultimately, Is AA “Religious”?

AA has clear Protestant Christian roots and does mention God in its 12 Steps. However, the Steps still clarify that every member can understand “God” in their own way.

Over time, the explicitly religious overtones have faded from many AA groups (though they still exist in some). AA has remained an all-inclusive mutual-help support structure for many recovering alcoholics.

Furthermore, there’s scientific evidence that suggests AA meetings can have a positive effect on recovery, especially when combined with other forms of treatment. Don’t overlook AA for being “religious,” or you may miss out on a precious resource for your recovery.

4 Reasons Why Opioids Are Addictive

The US is going through what has been deemed an “opioid epidemic,” caused partly by the increased availability of legal and illegal opioids. Another critical factor is that opioids are simply naturally addictive for various reasons. This article will explore the way opioids work and how it makes them ripe for abuse, provide statistics about opioid abuse in the US, and give you four specific reasons why opioids can be highly addictive.

1. Opioids are designed to take advantage of nervous system chemistry

Opioids work by attaching to the natural opioid (Mu) receptors in our brains. Our body creates natural opioids (endogenous opioids), including endorphins and dynorphins. When secreted, these endogenous opioids make us feel pleasure and pain relief.

What exogenous (not produced by our bodies) opioids like morphine do is generate an exaggerated response in our opioid receptors, leading to powerful pain relief effects and euphoria.

While this can be extremely useful in controlled medical settings where experts make informed decisions based on the patient’s needs, it can easily lead to addiction in people who misuse them without supervision.

2. Opioids can cause dependence very quickly

Dependence and addiction are complex issues caused by factors such as past drug abuse, genetics, and more. Some people may experience intense euphoria when taking opioids, even when used as prescribed by their doctors, while others may not.

Experiencing euphoria from medical opioid use may be a warning sign that someone is vulnerable to opioid addiction. The exact number of days of opioid use necessary to cause dependence varies individually. Still, it may be as early as five days for opioid-naive people.

Taking opioids for longer increases the probability of becoming addicted within one and three years.

3. Opioids relieve intense pain

Some people become addicted to opioids initially prescribed for chronic pain.

Patients may misuse prescription opioids by taking them in ways other than recommended by their doctors, such as taking them at higher frequencies or in larger quantities. They may also take someone else’s prescription opioids or use them to get high rather than for pain relief.

It’s also possible to become addicted to them when taking them as prescribed if they’re vulnerable to opioid or drug addiction.

4. Opioid medications are sometimes overprescribed

A considerable amount of opioid prescriptions are handed to patients in the US every year. In 2015, about 92 million individuals in the US used prescription opioids.

Millions of Americans suffer pain and are often prescribed opioids to treat it. Due to their abuse potential, prescription drugs are often misused, and pain patients may become dependent on them. Sometimes, patients continue to use prescription opioids indefinitely with no intention of stopping or gradually reducing doses.

Despite the increase in opioid prescriptions since the 90s, pain reported by Americans has not decreased. Furthermore, the amount of opioids in morphine milligram equivalents (MME) prescribed per person is around three times higher than in 1999. MME measures how many opioids are available in a given place at a given time.

Opioid Statistics to Understand

Opioid abuse has skyrocketed in the 21st century, and opioids are by far the drugs associated with the most overdose deaths in the US. The following are some statistics related to opioid abuse in the US:

Around 3 million persons suffer from opioid addiction in the US.
In 2015, almost 92 million persons used prescription opioid medications in the US.
More than 106,000 persons died from drug-involved overdoses in 2021 in the US. Approximately 80,000 of those deaths involved opioids.
Every year, almost 10 million people misuse opioids in the US. It’s estimated that 3.8% of American adults abuse opioids each year.

Opioid misuse is a severe public health issue in the US and continues to increase yearly. Informing yourself about the risks of opioid abuse is the first to avoid it.

Opioids can be helpful but also risky

Opioids can be beneficial in treating chronic pain under controlled medical settings, but their use is fundamentally risky due to their high potential for abuse and addiction.

If you or some you know misuses opioids, whether prescribed or illegal, seek help. Opioids get a firm hold of your nervous system and are nearly impossible to leave alone. Seek treatment from addiction professionals to have a better chance of recovering and laying the foundation for a sober rest of your life.

Do Your Friends Support Your Recovery Journey?

Science has proven that having friendships in recovery can have major benefits for recovery. Support networks provide motivation and all-important accountability, which have been shown to significantly decrease the odds of relapse and increase overall recovery success.

That said, achieving this supportive friend group isn’t always easy.

Many who come home after rehab find that those close to them may resist the idea of their new sober selves, especially if these were people that a recovered person used to cavort with when doing their drug of choice. In these instances, it’s best to ditch your toxic, unsupportive old friends and find a new tribe of like-minded people who respect your new lifestyle and will support you in upholding it–here’s how to do just that.

How to ditch unsupportive friends and cut ties

When it comes to friendships, especially for a person who’s newly sober, you want quality over quantity. It’s better to have few or no friends than to be surrounded by bad ones that don’t support your sober lifestyle. These are the “friends” that urge you to resume your old ways, scoff and belittle your attempts to better yourself, or continue to drink or use drugs around you. These individuals will actively hinder your progress and lead you to relapse.

Even if your old friends aren’t actively deterring your progress, there’s still a strong chance they’ll keep you anchored to your previous not-so-great way of life. Addiction and cravings are strongly tied to memories. If you’re hanging out with the same people or in the same places, it becomes harder to distance yourself from your old ways.

There’s no one right way to cut ties. If you feel inclined, you can let them know you’ll be stepping back in order to focus on yourself and your recovery — though they’re invited to stick around if they’ll be supportive. If the relationship is highly toxic, it might just be best to ghost them entirely without a formal farewell.

Finding a new friend group

First, what not to do. At least in the beginning, steer clear of places where you know people are dealing or using drugs like nightclubs and bars. For the best odds of success, put yourself in the mindset of a person who’s already sober and stable. Where do they hang out? What hobbies do they have?

Apps, video chats, and social media have made it easier than ever to connect with others and find highly specific communities. There are plenty of events and resources dedicated to sobriety and recovery communities, and finding them is as easy as a quick search on your phone. Here are a few ways to find your people:

Follow sober social media accounts

There are lots of accounts dedicated to recovery content–some funny, some uplifting. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll feel comforted seeing their mass of millions of followers and know that you’re far from alone in your journey. Want to connect with people one on one? Create an account on recovery-exclusive communities like Sober Grid, which is like Facebook and Snapchat combined, but a platform dedicated to those recovering from addiction.

Take a workout class

If you’re looking to expand your circle beyond people who are sober or in recovery but who are likely to uphold similar values to your new lifestyle, fitness classes are a great place to look. These are people who are (at least somewhat) committed to being healthy and likely to be very understanding of your drug-free ways. Bonus, you’ll also get a workout buddy!

Volunteer

If you’re looking to surround yourself with upstanding people, joining others with a desire to give back to the community is a sure bet. Here you’ll find people with compassion and patience who are sure to be super supportive in your recovery journey.

Keep in touch with your treatment facility

Graduation from rehab doesn’t have to mark the end of your relationship with the professionals and clinicians who care about you. Odds are, your facility has an alumni program that regularly hosts events and other gatherings that allow you to either meet other graduates or those who are still in treatment. Either way, it’s a guaranteed place to find your peers without the burden of you having to initiate the first move.

Join a 12-Step group

Whether it’s Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Dual Diagnosis Anonymous, or any of the many other peer-based support groups, attending a meeting is a very low-stakes way to meet others who are in recovery. These groups are host to people in various stages of recovery (including those who have yet to begin), which could be beneficial for you, giving you a glimpse of how far you’ve already come as well as a peek into what success looks like.

Smart Phone Apps To Guide You Through Recovery

Addiction, and addiction recovery, can sometimes be a lonely experience. Digital apps are helping to close that gap, providing a sense of community, a source of accountability, and support on virtually every aspect of recovery. But there are hundreds of apps out there — where do you start? Whatever you’re looking for in your journey, here are 9 of the best smartphone apps for recovery,

9 Must-Have Mobile Apps for Addiction Recovery

Most addiction recovery apps fall into these general categories, and many offer more than one feature:

12 Steps resources
Directories
Habit or sobriety tracker
Information
Peer support
Relapse prevention assistance

The apps we selected are all free mobile apps, though some may require in-app purchases to unlock the full features.

12-Step Meditation Daily Reflections for AA, NA, Al-Anon

A great option for members of 12 Step groups. This app makes it easy (and pleasant) to work the Twelve Steps outside of group meetings. There are hundreds of guided meditations, soothing music and sounds, and audio recordings of the twelve steps and prayers that you can layer to create personalized audio tracks. You can also make a playlist with all your creations, making it the perfect app when you’re traveling or just need to create a calm, quiet space for yourself.

AA Big Book Free — For Alcoholics Anonymous

An essential app for anyone involved in AA. This app is chock full of useful features with full access to the Big Book and the ability to make notes, mark passages, and search the text. It also has AA prayers, podcasts, a meeting finder and a sobriety tracker.

I Am Sober

There’s no shortage of sobriety trackers apps out there, which I Am Sober is. Besides being one of the most user friendly apps and thorough (it counts sobriety down to the second), our favorite standout feature is that the tracker also tells you how much money you’ve saved since quitting drinking. The practical nature of this side function makes it a great form of positive reinforcement when motivation is running low.

I Am

I Am allows users to customize their phones with aesthetic and soothing images paired with positive affirmations. You can also have pretty and empowering messages delivered as push notifications throughout the day. While not specifically an addiction treatment app, a big part of treatment is undoing the negative thought patterns. This does that in a user-friendly way while being cute to boot.

Recovery Path: Addiction Recovery & Addiction Help

This app does it all, offering CBT-based motivations and reminders, posting abilities, and even a directory. What we love most is the related support app for loved ones and even clinicians, providing a rounded-out community that offers encouragement and accountability in all forms.

Sober Grid

Imagine a Facebook that was exclusively for people who are sober or in recovery. Well no need to imagine, it exists! Sober Grid is a full-fledged social networking app that allows you to make posts, connect with others, and message people. Joining is completely free, and so is the app! It also features 24/7 live coaching available, making this one of the best apps for finding social support.

SoberTool

This app is backed by science, as it was created by a licensed counselor. It offers the usual features you’d expect in a recovery app, but what makes it stand out is its craving analyzer which helps you recognize and work through triggers when they strike. There’s also a built-in community forum feature where you can speak to other people who are in recovery.

Nomo — Sobriety Clocks

Nomo keeps things simple, making it the perfect recovery app for people who want no-frills recovery support. It’s a sobriety tracker that lets you set as many clocks as you want, allowing you to celebrate both big and small addiction recovery milestones. Plus, collect virtual chips when you do! Nomo also has minigames to serve as a distraction when cravings strike.

WEconnect

Spoke to your sponsor recently? Went to an AA meeting? With WEconnect, you can earn gift cards and other tangible rewards for completing small and large tasks in your recovery program. This app can only be used by a person enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program at a facility that has partnered with the app — so this one isn’t for everyone. Those who are able to get an access code will find this a powerful complement to their recovery program that offers great incentives for creating good habits.

Did we miss your favorite apps for addiction recovery? Let us know in the comments! If you’re ready to go offline and get IRL support, find an AA meeting or NA meeting near you, today.

Al-Anon Vs. AA

Is there a difference between AA and Al-Anon? Yes! Despite the similarity of the organizations’ names (and the fact that they share the same acronym), Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon are two distinct groups that offer support for individuals affected by alcoholism.

Key Differences Between Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous

The two organizations are separate but related. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935 by Bill W; Al-Anon was founded in 1951 by Lois W.–the wife of AA’s founder, who recognized that alcoholism didn’t just affect the drinkers, but their families and loved ones as well.

In addition to their closely intertwined origins, both organizations share the same basic principles, including the 12 Steps, along with meeting and leadership formats, and the same commitment to confidentiality and judgment-free support. Still, there are several key differences between how these groups operate.

Membership

First and foremost, the main difference between Al-Anon and AA is the focus of the support. Alcoholics Anonymous is intended for the person dealing with alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is part of the family groups of AA (which includes Alateen) and is for the people who are affected by the addiction of a loved one.

In short. Alcoholics Anonymous is a support group for people who are recovering from alcohol addiction. Al-Anon is a support group for the friends and family members of people with a drinking problem.

Goals

In AA, individuals recovering from alcohol addiction are encouraged to admit their powerlessness over alcohol, turn their lives over to a higher power, and make amends to those they have harmed. The focus is on helping the individual achieve and maintain sobriety. One of the key differences between AA and Al-Anon is their focus.

Al-Anon, on the other hand, is a support group for friends and family members of alcoholics and focuses on helping loved ones cope with the impact of someone else’s addiction on their lives. This includes learning healthy ways to manage their emotions, emotions towards the person with alcoholism, and how to better support their loved ones.

Addressing Addiction

Another key difference between the two organizations is their approach to addressing addiction. AA encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and make amends to those they have harmed, while Al-Anon focuses on helping individuals understand that they are not responsible for the addiction of their loved one and that they cannot control the actions of the alcoholic.

AA also encourages individuals to find a higher power, a spiritual force that can help them overcome their addiction. Al-Anon encourages individuals to find a higher power too, but the organization does not promote any specific religion or spiritual belief.

Structure

In terms of structure, both AA and Al-Anon are self-supporting groups and do not charge for their services. Further, both organizations are autonomous without a central governing body that oversees their operations. Meetings are typically 45 minutes long and follow a similar format.

The one difference lies in AA and Al-Anon anonymity policies. AA encourages members to keep their involvement in the organization confidential, while Al-Anon allows members to share their involvement with others.

Chips & Tokens

AA chips are a well-known aspect of the organization as a way to celebrate members’ sobriety milestones. These tokens are not limited to AA and are used by both Al-Anon and Alateen, but celebrate different types of accomplishments.

Alcoholics Anonymous tokens are color-based, signifying a certain sobriety timeframe, ranging from 30 days, 90 days, 6 months, and over a year. Al-Anon and Alateen chips feature popular slogans and prayers from the organization (like the 3rd Step Prayer or the Serenity Prayer) and are given to celebrate member anniversaries. However, these traditions vary from region to region and not all groups use these physical tokens.

Find Alcoholism Recovery Resources

Whether you struggle with alcoholism or are a bystander who’s impacted by a loved one’s drinking addiction, there’s a support group for you.

Learn more about these 12-step-based support groups, how they work, and what to expect, by exploring our other articles. You’ll find guides for working each of the twelve steps and how to apply them to your own recovery journey.

Or, check out our directory to find an AA group or Al-Anon group near you. Search by city to find local group meetings and connect with others who have been in your shoes. Before attending a meeting, be sure to contact the group and inquire whether the meeting is open or closed. Closed meetings are restricted to current members, while open meetings welcome any and everyone, including newcomers.