If you or a loved one is faced with a drinking problem you may have heard of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are many different programs available in our society to deal with addiction. One of the most commonly recognized programs for dealing with drinking is Alcoholics Anonymous, but how does it work?

First of all Alcoholics Anonymous is a free program. Meetings are run by donation only to cover expenses. No one is turned away due to money. For people with limited income or no insurance this may be the only way to seek treatment.

Meetings are relatively easy to find. There are no minimum or maximum meetings to attend. Attendees can attend as few as one a month or as many as four a week depending where you live. There are AA chapters located in virtually every locale, city or rural.

AA is based on a 12 step program to achieving and maintaining sobriety. The meetings are usually facilitated by someone who has been through AA and has been sober for a long period of time. Participants do the 12 step program one step at a time to work toward and maintain sobriety.

Participants also usually have a “sponsor”. A sponsor is a person who has been through AA and has maintained sobriety for a lengthy period of time. A sponsor is someone who can help the alcoholic learn how to complete the 12 steps and can be called on for help day or night.

AA is one of oldest and most respected alcohol rehabilitation programs available to treat alcohol addiction.