Fostering client connections with Alcoholics Anonymous: a framework for social workers in various practice settings

Alcohol abuse is common among clients in human service agencies, but most never seek help for their drinking problems, either in professional treatment or self-help (mutual aid) groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). A.A. is a widely-available resource, but it is not always introduced to clients in a manner that fosters acceptance of A.A. Social workers in various practice settings can facilitate A.A. affiliation by working collaboratively with clients, seeking a goodness-of-fit between client needs and the resources available within A.A. This article offers a pragmatic approach to initial A.A. involvement, intended to help professionals utilize barriers to affiliation as opportunities for furthering both counseling goals and the connection to A.A.