CAYMAN ISLANDS A.A.
COOPERATION WITH PROFESSIONALS
.
Many thousands of alcoholics owe their lives to a nonalcoholic professional; a medical doctor, nurse, educator, chiropractor, psychiatrist, counselor, human resources or employee assistance professional, faith leader or clergy member, social worker, and many others, who were knowledgeable enough about alcoholism to recognize the illness and take the actions that would cut through the alcoholic’s denial, illuminating the road to recovery.
Members of the Cayman Islands Cooperation with Professionals and Public Information Committees provide information about A.A. to those who have responsibilities regarding and contact with alcoholics through their profession.
These professionals may also include government officials, police, corrections, military, athletic and hospitality professionals, as well as those working in the fields of addiction and treatment.
CPC and PI committees of A.A. issue information pertaining to:
who we are, where we are, and what we can do and can not do.
FOR THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL
Including: Physician, Nurse, Dentist, Optometrist, Chiropractor, Midwife, Psychologist, Counselor, Social Services, Senior Services Healthcare Administrators, Emergency Responders and many more.
The definition of alcoholism as defined by the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence: “Alcoholism is a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by impaired control over drinking, preoccupation with the drug alcohol, use of alcohol despite adverse consequences, and distortions in thinking, most notably DENIAL. Each of these symptoms may be continuous or periodic.” (1992)
Since DENIAL of the problem is symptomatic of alcoholism, alcoholics tend to be evasive when questioned about their drinking, and some health care professionals may not recognize that alcoholism may be contributing to their symptoms. Most alcoholics will resist any suggestion that alcoholism is involved and may be equally resistant to the suggestion of Alcoholics Anonymous as a first or last recourse.
A.A. members, having broken through their DENIAL and come face to face with the harm in their drinking, are particularly suited to helping others break through their denial.
HUMAN RESOUCES, LABOR & MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS
Labor and management are increasingly aware of the disease of alcoholism, its high financial and human cost, and now recognize the benefits of helping their employees seek relief.
Alcoholics Anonymous can make available the cumulative experience of more than two million recovered alcoholics now living comfortable and productive lives without alcohol.
FOR CLERGY MEMBERS & FAITH LEADERS
Faith leaders are often the first people sick alcoholics turn to for help and understanding — and frequently the first to whom they candidly acknowledge their illness. In fact, many alcoholics look to Faith Leaders for spiritual guidance both before and after joining A.A.
At the core of the A.A. program are the Twelve Steps of Recovery (see page 16), a group of principles based on the trial-and-error experience of A.A.’s early members. Practiced as a way of life, the Twelve Steps include elements found in the spiritual teachings of many faiths. These Steps have helped A.A. members the world over to live sober, fulfilling lives.
Imam Dr. Shabir Ally and Dr. Samuel Shoemaker (rector of The Calvary Church in New York City), along with Co-founder Bill W’s published anecdote from a minister in Thailand regarding the largest Buddhist monastery in this province, all agree that the Twelve Steps include elements found in the spiritual teachings of all faiths.
Our purpose is to provide a useful introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous and to address some of the questions that are frequently asked by the clergy and faith leaders about A.A.
LEGAL & CORRECTIONS PROFESSIONALS
.
A frequent question is why people in custody have any need of A.A. while they are incarcerated. The answer is that the A.A. program is far more than staying away from alcohol. A.A. has been called a way of life, and its success for groups that meet while in custody shows that this program can help them live a sober and contented life, both while in custody and after release. Many people in custody were sentenced for crimes in which alcohol abuse was an important factor. This percentage appears to be somewhat higher among those in facilities for young offenders.
Corrections professionals often find many benefits for those who attend A.A. meetings, and feel that their chance of making it on the outside is improved by participation in the A.A. program.
RESOURCES FOR PROFESSIONALS
About A.A. is a newsletter from the General Services Office of A.A. for proffessionals who work with alcoholics. This includes professionals in the fields of healthcare, employment, law, corrections, and clery or faith.
