No conversation about alcoholism or alcohol use disorder recovery is complete without mentioning alcoholics anonymous. The group has become synonymous with the concepts of recovery and lasting sobriety and has been instrumental in changing the conversation surrounding addiction since its inception roughly 80 years ago.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom as the science and psychology of addiction evolves, the role of alcoholics anonymous may change somewhat, but is likely to remain a cornerstone of many people’s aftercare efforts, if not their overall recovery journeys.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom what is alcoholics anonymous?

Alcoholics anonymous (AA) is a global, community-based program that was created to help those struggling with problematic drinking get sober with the support of their peers through daily meetings and discussions surrounding addiction. 1 AA gives men and women a place to come together and share their experiences, recover from alcoholism and maintain sobriety. 1 its concept revolves around that premise that alcoholism is an illness that can be managed, but not controlled.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom

AA was founded by bill wilson and his physician, doctor bob smith in 1935 and eventually grew to include two more groups by 1939. 2 that same year, wilson published alcoholics anonymous, a text which explained its philosophy and methods. 2 we know it today as the 12 steps of recovery.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom over the years, the 12 steps have been adapted by other self-help and addiction recovery groups, such as gamblers anonymous and narcotics anonymous, to those struggling with other forms of addiction.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom additionally, many groups have changed the explicitly christian overtones of the original 12 steps to reflect more secular or agnostic philosophies. 3

cognitive learning theory in the classroom

Per the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5), in order to be diagnosed with an alcohol use disorder (AUD), individuals must meet any two of 11 criteria during the same 12-month period. 4 an estimated 16 million people in the U.S.Cognitive learning theory in the classroom have an AUD, yet only a small percentage of those individuals seek treatment. 5 in 2015, only 4.4% of people age 12 and older received specialty treatment for an alcohol use disorder. 6

cognitive learning theory in the classroom

According to the 2017 national survey on drug use and health, 51.7% of people age 12 and older reported drinking in the past month, 24.5% of people age 12 and older binge drank in the past month (4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men on one occasion), and 6.1% engaged in heavy alcohol use over the past month ( binge drinking on 5 or more days over the past 30 days). 7

cognitive learning theory in the classroom

In 2014, AA reported that 27% of the 6,000 members who participated in an internal study were sober for less than a year; 24% retained their sobriety for up to five years, and 13% lasted for as long as a decade. 8 fourteen percent of the study’s participants stayed sober between 10 and 20 years, and 22 percent reported remaining sober for more than two decades. 8

cognitive learning theory in the classroom

A long-term study conducted by the national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism (NIAAA) found, at both one and three-year follow-up interviews, that people with alcoholism who both received formal treatment and attended an AA group had a better chance of staying sober than those who only received formal treatment. 13 NIAAA concluded that stronger connections between community-based meetings and professional treatment resources will equate to a more efficient systemic approach to managing alcohol use disorders. 13 sources