by B. Ann Patterson

Created on: June 18, 2010

There is help for addicts of drugs and alcohol in every community of the United States of America.  Since two men, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, met and became sober, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings have taken place across the country as well as across the world.  Additionally, Narcotics Anonymous and other groups have been developed to help addicts of numerous conditions find the help they need to stay clean and sober.  Called A.A., Alcoholics Anonymous has meetings scheduled at various times during most days of the year.

Long before the medical and psychological communities began to offer rehabilitation centers by nonprofit organizations and professionals, AA was helping alcoholics understand their addiction, now called a medical condition of the brain.  Research has documented what happens in the brain of addicts when compared to casual drinkers.  Alcoholism occurs in some people after their first drink, especially when the person is the firstborn of an alcoholic.  Some people can drink anytime in any amount and never seem to become addicted.  Most alcoholics are among the many who drink too much alcohol, too often, until one day a 'glitch' occurs in the brain and from that moment, the brain demands more and more alcohol.  Alcoholics are driven by their brain to refill it with what it likes best: alcohol in any form.  Some will drink any household item that contains alcohol including vanilla, dish detergent, shampoo, and unbelievable concoctions just to feed their brain.

In America, there are rehabilitation centers such as the Betty Ford Center in California which require fees exceeding $20,000 a month.  Social Services organizations have developed a variety of community rehabilitation clinics and rehabilitation centers that are affordable to assist individuals in becoming sober and to stay sober.  Some services are available to the homeless alcoholic found on the streets and jailed or taken to emergency rooms.  Concerned citizens in Portland, Oregon established the Hooper Detoxication Center, named after the last alcoholic to die in the old jail, to give detox services to both alcoholics and drug addicts.  Because alcoholics can sometimes die if not detoxed, they receive first call each morning and drug addicts are second in line if there are available beds. 

Every day any alcoholic or addict can get help by going to an AA meeting without an appointment or pre-approval. 

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