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Alcoholics Anonymous Study

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The history of alcohol and drug abuse can be dated back for hundreds of years around the world; in addition, the side effects from abuse can last just as long. The extent of alcohol and drug abuse may change dramatically due to societal views and normality such as the Prohibition era and the legalization of medicinal marijuana. Understanding alcohol and drug abuse means that one must not examine the behavior of the drinker, but also the place, time, and context of the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Dating back to the Mayflower, the New World welcomed the brewing of beer and ale as a tradition of the early culture. The consumption of alcohol was excessive- it was consumed from the crack of dawn to the crack of dawn, at work, alone, together, …show more content…

Since then, Alcoholics Anonymous is the largest and most well-known organization for alcohol problems. Members of this organization meet in groups to help one another achieve and maintain abstinence from alcohol and are encouraged to complete the 12-step program. In addition to, Narcotics Anonymous is a program designed specifically for drug addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous has increased alcohol-free days for alcohol addicts to about eighty percent. Rudolf H. Moos documented a 16-year study of AA participants and found that individuals that attended at least 27 weeks of AA meetings during the first year about 67% remained abstinent at the 16-year follow-up (Liliennfeld, Arkowitz). In addition to alcohol, anti-tobacco groups such as Citizens Against Tobacco advocate to help control smoking behavior. As time progresses so does society. Anti-smoking groups and anti-alcohol groups such as these have helped legislation to ban smoking and drinking in public, alcohol and cigarette lobbying, and decreasing the advertisements of drugs and alcohol. There has also been an increase of federal taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco, warnings about the dangers of alcohol on beverage containers and in advertisements, limiting retail outlets, and more restrictive hours for alcohol

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