The Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous As An Adjunctive Treatment For Trauma Survivors An Experimental Approach 1522 4821 16 120
The Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous As An Adjunctive Treatment For Trauma Survivors An Experimental Approach 1522 4821 16 120
ISSN 1522-4821
ABSTRACT: Background and Method: The consequences of surviving trauma are complex, making it difficult to formulate a
recovery and treatment plan. The most common defense mechanism, and the toughest one to work through, is denial. Throughout
human history, lack of knowledge and non-acceptance of the perpetrators misdeeds has placed the suffering of survivors behind
an armored wall, perpetuating traumatic effects. No recovery can occur behind this wall of forced silence, ignorance and lack of
helpful resources. Over the last two decades, research has revealed the frequency of traumatic events, and their injurious effects on
a survivor’s psyche. Mental health professionals have come to understand the connections between unresolved trauma and serious
psychological problems. The role of spirituality in trauma recovery is often misunderstood and subsequently minimized. Trauma
survivors usually have a difficult time experiencing their vulnerability and the attending feelings of having once been profoundly
helpless and alone. The process of unearthing one’s memories and re-experiencing anguish requires the help of skilled, knowledge-
able and spiritually grounded professionals who have done healing work on themselves. Interest and research on the healing effects
of applying spiritual tools to the multi-layered consequences of trauma survival - including emotional pain, and interpersonal dif-
ficulties - has burgeoned. This is a case report discussing the efficacy of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to address and heal
the root causes and conditions of dysfunctional behaviors, lack of meaning in life, and persistent psychic pain. Results: The primary
outcome measure was the client’s self-report on improved affect regulation, reduced depression, decrease in maladaptive behaviors,
decreased sense of helplessness and hopelessness, increased sense of personal accountability, meaning and purpose in life, and
greater ability to modulate arousal; both physical and emotional.