Willpower Ch: 8

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Questions and Answers

What aspect differentiates alcoholism from diseases like diabetes or hypertension?

Alcoholism is entirely psychological.

Alcoholism has no physiological aspects.

Diabetics attend support meetings like AA.

Alcoholism progression depends on self-destructive actions. (correct)

What conclusion did researchers reach regarding the effect of attending AA meetings?

Attending reduces future drinking problems regardless of motivation. (correct)

Attendance is less effective than abstinence.

Attendance does not affect future drinking problems.

AA meetings cause increased drinking among participants.

What was a significant finding from Project MATCH regarding treatment effectiveness?

AA was significantly more effective than professional treatments.

Most treatments showed very little effectiveness overall. (correct)

Matching treatment types to individuals led to better outcomes.

The inclusion of a control group significantly altered results.

What are the two main ways alcohol affects self-control?

By reducing self-awareness and lowering blood glucose Signup and view all the answers

Which mechanism is emphasized by AA to enhance self-control among its members?

Clear and attainable goal setting. Signup and view all the answers

What is one explanation for the correlation between attending AA meetings and reduced drinking?

Warehousing keeps members out of trouble. Signup and view all the answers

What strategy did Clapton adopt to regain self-control?

He sought a higher power through prayer Signup and view all the answers

How did Mary Karr's view on prayer evolve during her recovery?

She maintained her skepticism but found temporary relief through her nightly gratitude Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been so successful?

It has a decentralized structure allowing for widespread member participation Signup and view all the answers

What common misconception about alcohol does the content address?

Alcohol increases one's willingness to act on impulses Signup and view all the answers

What thought sustained Eric Clapton during his suicidal moments?

The idea that he could no longer drink. Signup and view all the answers

What drug did Clapton consider too minor to mention during detox?

Valium Signup and view all the answers

What triggered Clapton's return to drinking after a period of sobriety?

Driving past a crowded pub. Signup and view all the answers

What act did Clapton take when he felt completely defeated in his recovery?

He begged for divine help on his knees. Signup and view all the answers

How did the death of Clapton's son affect his struggle with alcohol?

It caused him to relapse into deeper addiction. Signup and view all the answers

What crucial external factor was identified as influencing sobriety among men in therapy for alcohol abuse?

Their ability to seek social support Signup and view all the answers

What kind of friendships can negatively impact an individual's efforts to abstain from alcohol?

Friendships with individuals who encourage drinking Signup and view all the answers

How does storytelling in AA meetings contribute to personal growth for participants?

It helps participants organize their thoughts and set future goals Signup and view all the answers

What did Eric Clapton view as appealing about drinking during his youth?

The sense of belonging to a unique culture Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential downside of social support as identified in the content?

It may include influence from negative peer behavior Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Eric Clapton's Struggles and Recovery

Clapton's substance abuse, including alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and Valium, severely impacted him.
Early rehab attempts, such as Hazelden, were initially unsuccessful due to lack of honesty (e.g. his Valium use) and lack of commitment.
Relapses were frequent. He would be tempted to revert to addictive behavior easily. Triggers included cravings and past experiences.
Suicidal thoughts and feelings were closely linked to his drinking. Wealth and fame didn't alleviate the desires he had.
Driving past a crowded pub was a key trigger for Clapton's relapse.

The Role of Surrender

Clapton's moment of surrender at Hazelden marked a turning point in his recovery.
He realized he lacked the willpower to abstain on his own and sought help.
He credits his sobriety to asking for help, a process including kneeling and prayer, rather than will power alone.
The feeling of surrender was linked to prayer and humbling himself.

How Alcohol Affects Self-Control

Alcohol reduces inhibitions by lowering blood glucose and reducing self-awareness.
It exacerbates inner conflict by removing the restraint of the "good angel."
Avoiding a binge requires recognizing the situation beforehand, similar to stopping at the pub during a relapse. Requires proactive behavior.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

AA's 12-step program, while not scientifically rigorously designed, has attracted many for support and self-control.
Attendance at meetings correlates with decreased drinking.
Studies on AA's effectiveness have conflicting results, highlighting the difficulty of accounting for confounding variables. For instance, regular attendance might be followed by abstinence, or more likely, abstinence might lead to continuing attendance.
AA's merits include clear goals, monitoring (by daily use of attendance), and peer support.

Social support, including friends and a support system, was an important factor in Clapton and Karr's abstinence.
Social pressure and peer influence are both positive and negative. Negative pressure can cause relapse, while positive groups motivate for abstinence.
AA's members offer support that may be more crucial than the program's structure or belief in a higher power.

Religion and Self-Control

Religious practice is associated with greater longevity and healthier behaviors.
Religious activity reduces inner conflict by establishing priorities and influencing willpower and monitoring processes.
Rituals like prayer, meditation, and fasting build willpower and self-discipline.
The "higher power" aspect of religion can provide a framework for goal setting and self-control through the belief that someone is watching and encouraging behavior.

Hyperbolic Discounting

The concept of hyperbolic discounting explains how immediate temptations outweigh future benefits.
People struggle to delay gratification, especially at the point of immediate temptation.
This affects those who are susceptible to immediate gratification, who cannot forsee consequences, like long-term negative health impacts caused by drinking or smoking.
Defining clear lines (bright lines) around desired outcomes (e.g., total abstinence) can help override and prevent hyperbolic discounting during a trigger moment.

Bright Lines and Self-Control

Clear rules, such as total abstinence, are effective for maintaining self-control.
Bright lines provide certainty and confidence that future self's behavior align with the current plan / goal.
Belief in a higher power can strengthen the commitment to a bright line.

Conclusion

The combination of a support network, self-control planning, and possibly spiritual methods are beneficial factors contributing to recovery from destructive habits like heavy drinking.
While there are arguments for and against the effectiveness of AA, the methods appear generally effective.
The combination of peer pressure and self-discipline are influential regarding relapse.

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Description

Explore Eric Clapton's struggles with addiction and his path to recovery. This quiz delves into his early rehabilitation attempts, relapses, and the pivotal moment of surrender that changed his life. Discover how humility and the need for help played a role in his sobriety.