Hitting Bottom: Help Seeking Among Alcoholics Anonymous Members

Abstract

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members' self-reports (N = 263) of “hitting bottom” and seeking help were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and chi-square analyses of 23 dependent variables. AA members self-identified a range of bottoms: high-bottom (36.1%), middle (44.5%), and low (19.4%). Whites were 2.4 times more likely than non-Whites to identify as high-bottoms. Lower bottoms were associated with multidrug use, constant drinking, and alcohol-related problems. High bottoms more likely entered AA via member introduction, and low bottoms more likely entered via court order. These findings indicate that individuals who are alcohol dependent might be helped earlier by identifying the initiation or acceleration of their substance use and facilitating relationships with those already in AA.

Keywords:

• Alcoholics Anonymous
• alcoholism
• help seeking
• mutual-help group
• treatment

Acknowledgments

This article not subject to U.S. copyright law.

This material is based on work supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Office of Research and Development, Health Services Research and Development, and the VA Midwest Rural Health Resource Center. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government.