THE
IRISH ECCLESIASTICAL RECORD, Vol. 73: 258-259, March 1950
RE: Alcoholics Anonymous
By J. McCarthy
Rev. Dear Sir, -- What is to be thought of the Fellowship of
Alcoholics Anonymous, whose avowed purpose is 'to help the sick
alcoholic if he wishes to recover?'
VICTOR
Our correspondent has kindly sent us a number of leaflets and
booklets in which are set out and explained the constitution,
the aims and the methods of the Fellowship of Alcoholics
Anonymous. We have examined this literature carefully and
have also read some independent descriptions of the work and
history of the Fellowship -- which was founded in America in
1935, and now has a membership of over 100,000 scattered over
thirty countries. We have been very favourably blessed by what
we have read on this subject.
The Fellowship is a voluntary, non-sectarian, non-political
society of alcoholics who have an honest and earnest desire to
recover (and to stay recovered) from their unfortunate state.
It is emphasized that this state is truly a disease in the
case of the real alcoholic -- a disease which is partly a
physical allergy but mainly a form of mental obsession. The
aim of the society of Alcoholics Anonymous is to rehabilitate
those so afflicted and diseased. The means are social
therapy and a programme of recovery which is summarized in
twelve steps. The psychological approach seems to be very
sound and well-considered. We shall only mention a few
points here.
The alcoholic finds great human sympathy, understanding and
strength in the company of those who have been afflicted as he
is, and who are winning through. This fellow-feeling is
very helpful. The alcoholic is asked simply to concentrate
on keeping off one drink, the first, for one day at a time.
He is not asked to take a pledge for life. Thus he
is not from the outset frightened and depressed by the magnitude
of the problem of his recovery. This problem has been
reduced to and set out for him in manageable proportions.
He is exhorted to realize his dependence upon God -- Whose help
must be earnestly asked. As a final step, the twelfth, the
alcoholic has set before him the motive of bringing help and
hope to others similarly afflicted. This is a vital and
most valuable part of the programme. The alcoholic is made
to realize that he can help others. This realization
serves to lessen and to destroy his sense of failure and
uselessness and to restore his self-respect. It becomes
also a powerful incentive to the alcoholic to persevere in
sobriety. The Fellowship has made no extravagant claims
for the success of the treatment provided. It does not
claim final cures -- but rather the effective arresting of the
disease. And there is abundant evidence to show that, by
means of it and with due cooperation, very many so-called
hopeless alcoholics have been rehabilitated.
Anyone who has experience of the great problem and heartbreak of
trying to help and restore to normality and decency chronic
alcoholics, will be grateful for the help which this Fellowship
proffers. The emphasis of the programme is mainly upon the
natural virtues of humility, sincerity, honesty with
oneself, and then the need for the help of God. We see
nothing in the programme which need conflict in any way with
Catholic principles. There is, indeed, evidence that
Catholics have, through Alcoholics Anonymous, returned, not
merely to sobriety, but to the regular practice of their
religion. This is as might be expected. Restoration
of a sense of responsibility and self-respect should naturally
lead to a conscientious realisation of religious duties.
There are just a few suggestions we would make. Firstly,
we should like to see it admitted that, while alcoholism may
easily enough reach the state of being a serious disease in
particular cases, this is generally reached as the result of
earlier and culpable excesses. This admission will have no
deleterious effects. It would rather serve as a greater
incentive to strive for recovery. Secondly, for the sake
of Catholics, we should like to see a reference to the necessity
and incalculable value of supernatural helps for the alcoholic
in his struggle towards sobriety. These helps can be
abundantly obtained by frequent reception of the sacraments.
The difficulty about inserting such a reference into the
general programme of recovery is that it is desired to keep this
programme on non-sectarian lines. But, perhaps, priests
who come into contact with members of Alcoholics Anonymous might
make for those concerned the point to which we have referred.
We are assured that suggestions and cooperation would be
welcomed. Needless to say the use of the available
supernatural means would serve to consolidate successes won
along natural lines. The supernatural elevates, it does
not destroy the natural.
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