Gila Bend, Arizona – Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings

What is Alcoholics Anonymous?

Alcoholics Anonymous, also known as AA, is an international peer support group of people who have dealt with alcohol use problems. This group does not have professionals leading the meetings, and no one is making medical or psychological diagnoses. The group is peer-led, meaning everyone is or was struggling with alcohol abuse.  Alcoholics Anonymous is open to anyone that wishes to stop drinking alcohol, there are no educational or age requirements to join.

Alcoholics Anonymous is the origin of the 12-step recovery process. The 12 steps have a spiritual base, but it does not require specific religious beliefs. It is open to those of any religious background and to those who do not practice a religion.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a not-for-profit organization. Each meeting group is run independently and there is no government funding for the programs. There are no membership fees. Donations are accepted to cover meeting location rent and any other costs, like coffee.

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings can help transform someone’s life in a positive direction. In general, meetings are held once a week, but anyone can attend more meetings if they feel they need additional support. They can also keep close contact with their personal sponsor in AA who mentors them through the 12-step process. Having mentor support can make a significant impact on an alcoholic’s recovery process.

There are multiple Alcoholics Anonymous meetings weekly to choose from in Gila Bend, Arizona.

What is Al-Anon?

Al-Anon is a weekly support group for friends and family members of alcoholics. Living with someone who is an alcoholic can bring about large amounts of stress and concern. Living with an alcoholic who refuses to change their ways can even be a traumatic situation for some people. Members of Al-Anon attend meetings together and share their experiences with others who need hope. Members may also share strategies, and encourage one another. This can be extremely important if a member’s loved one refuses to seek treatment for alcoholism.

Al-Anon is completely anonymous, and confidential. The groups do not track attendance, and there is not a membership list. People are free to attend meetings as often as they find it helpful. There is not a membership fee, but donations are accepted from those who can afford to do so to cover the cost of the meeting space and materials.

There are multiple Al-Anon Family Meetings to choose from each week.

Is Alcohol Misuse a Problem in Gila Bend, Arizona?

Statistics make a strong case that alcohol abuse is a problem in Maricopa County. The Coordinated Community Health Needs Assessment For Maricopa County shows that 49.9% of the people surveyed believe that alcohol abuse is one of the top unhealthy behaviors that must be addressed in the community. The assessment also states that 16.1% of the adults surveyed reported binge drinking in Maricopa county in 2017.

The Arizona Department of Health Services website shares statistics concerning the number of emergency department visits related to alcohol misuse. The website also shows the number of people that were admitted to the hospital for at least one night for alcohol-related issues. In 2018, statewide there were 43,395 cases where a person was admitted to the hospital for at least one night related to an alcohol misuse issue. Of that total number, 24,931 cases occurred in Maricopa County. The number of cases where someone had to go to the Emergency Department, was treated and released for alcohol-related issues in 2018 for the entire state was 30,204. Maricopa County had 14,949 of those cases.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,511 people died in drunk driving crashes across the United States in 2018. That means one person died every 50 minutes because of alcohol-impaired driving. The national alcohol-impaired driving fatalities totaled 10,142 in 2019. In every state, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.

Arizona has extremely strict driving under the influence laws, including mandatory jail time for a first offense. Unfortunately, even with strict laws, there are people who still drive after consuming alcohol. Here are some numbers of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities:

• 2018 State of Arizona- 298 deaths
• 2018 Maricopa county- 142 deaths
• 2019 State of Arizona- 260 deaths
• 2019 Maricopa county- 106 deaths

Signs That Someone May Have an Alcohol Misuse Problem

• They continue to drink even after having negative health consequences
• They have cravings for alcohol
• They have to drink more to get the same feeling
• They have had negative consequences at a job or school due because of drinking or hangovers

Is a Support Group Enough Help?

Every person is different, the needs of some are higher than the needs of others. For those who have been drinking for a long time, the best option may be professional help, but for others, a support group may be enough. This can be a good option for someone who has not been misusing alcohol for a long time. It can also be helpful for someone that has already completed an inpatient treatment program.

More Information About Recovery Meetings in Gila Bend, Arizona

The goal at SpringBoard Recovery is to provide the help that people need to break free from alcohol addiction. Other recovery support groups are available:

• NA Meetings
• SMART Meetings
• Alateen Meetings

There are plenty of options available in Gila Bend, Arizona for those looking for alcohol treatment. If you would like more information, contact us today.