Kite Runner - 1130 Words

A soldier in war knows he could die at any moment, but remains on the battlefield to protect that which is dearest to him. It takes a special kind of person to do this. When faced with adversity, there are a select few who can push it aside for the greater good. These are the people worth writing about. In Khaled Hosseinis, The Kite Runner, the main character, Amir, learns the true meaning of loyalty and friendship by risking his own life to save another, thus proving that one does not know the value of friendship until it is gone. After years of misguidance, Amir realizes that on the road to friendship and loyalty, one must be able to stand up for what they believe in, something many are too afraid to do. When they were young,†¦show more content†¦On the other hand, because Amir still had the question in his mind of whether or not forgiveness was something that just came and went shows that he needed some help: â€Å"I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded, not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night†(359). He needed forgiveness for not knowing what he had until it was gone. The loyalty Hassan showed went unappreciated until he was no longer in Amirs life. He was uncertain about how to relieve his pain until the opportunity presented itself. However, there was a defining moment in which Amir feels the ultimate rewards of his efforts to redeem himself, aside from erasing his guilt. He enters a competition with Sohrab where he is the kite runner for him. He gets to walk in Hassans shoes for that moment, free of guilt and selfishness. After the two have won the competition, Sohrab does something he had not done in a long time. â€Å"I looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there†(370). Sohrab shows gratitude, ever so slightly, to Amir for helping him win the contest; somet hing that Amir did not show to Hassan when he helped him win the contest years ago. In a way, this was his redemption. Amir finally learns that through being unselfish and sincere inShow MoreRelatedThe Kite Runner1867 Words   |  8 PagesThe main protagonists in A Complicated Kindness and The Kite Runner convey that identities are socially constructed. Identity is shaped through the following factors: parenting, conflict, culture, gender, and genetics. These factors all intertwine and are the main influencers for shaping the protagonists identity. This is formed by the people that surround a person, their cultural stereotypes, how they teach others, and how a person learns. This essay will discuss how these factor effect identityRead MoreSummary Of The Kite Runner 1269 Words   |  6 PagesThe Kite Runner is a very powerful book that deals with many complex political and personal problems. This book has changed and challenged many of my views on life. I also found this book ver y inspiring and I have gained a greater appreciation for the life I have in Canada. Firstly, the text communicated with me through emotions. For example, I felt sadness for Hassan because of the way society treats him as an unequal. In addition, I have learned many things from this novel such as the importanceRead MoreThe Kite Runner Analysis772 Words   |  4 PagesThe Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was a touching book that revolved around loyalty within a friendship. The friendship between Hassan and Amir had some difficulties. A true friendship can be hard to find(,) but can be one of the most vital things to being truly happy. Both Hassan and Amir had proven their loyalty to each other by the end of The Kite Runner. Loyalty was a crucial part in Hassan and Amir’s friendship.   Ã‚  Ã‚   In the beginning, Hassan was not only loyal to Amir because that was his dutyRead MoreAnalysis Of The Kite Runner 1016 Words   |  5 PagesAccording to the dictionary redemption means â€Å" The act of saving from sin†. The kite Runner is about two boys that goes through violence and betrayal in Kabul, Afghanistan. One of the main characters Amir decided not to help his best friend caused their conflicts to grow. This reveals the theme of redemption throughout the Kite Runner. Most importantly, there is a motivation behind why Amir battles very nearly his whole existence with reclamation and that is on the grounds that Amir s hirelingRead MoreThe Kite Runner Analysis 1844 Words   |  8 PagesTherefore, being a father is very difficult, having to overcome obstacles and being strong for each other. A well-known saying â€Å"like father, like son† is evident in this novel by the different ties of relationship each character had. In the novel, The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini proves that there is need of a fatherly figure when growing up. Having a father-son bond helps the child differentiate right from wrong. The relationship which demonstrates the need of a father figure is depicted by Baba and AmirRead MoreSummary Of The Kite Runner Essay997 Words   |  4 Pages The Kite Runner Theme Paper In the song â€Å"hello† by Adele she talks about how she wants meet to talk about everything in the past the makes her feel this guilt because the time away just didn t do enough she hasn t got over this feeling. Also in The Kite Runner, the character Baba experiences guilt so he does acts of kindness to redeem himself. No one knows why Baba did those acts of kindness till the end of the book because he thought no one would think of him the same way. In The Kite RunnerRead MoreAnalysis Of The Kite Runner 1229 Words   |  5 PagesThe Kite Runner’s plot is centered on the story of Amir, a young boy who grew up in Afghanistan with his father, and friend, Hassan. Amir was raised without a mother, and had no womanly influence in his life until he was married. This lack of women in the storyline has caused some to argue that the novel is demeaning to women (Gomez). The vulgar language and explicit themes are seen as demoralizing towards the female gender (Schaub). In the novel the women are required to remain committed and submissiveRead MoreRedemption in The Kite Runner1038 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"For you, a thousand times over.† In The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini, there is a recurring theme of redemption that is portrayed by various literary devices. Kahled excellently juxtaposes devices such as irony, symbolism, and foreshadowing to show redemption within his first novel. As a foreword, the story of The Kite Runner focuses on a man named Amir. In his childhood, he enjoyed a high-class life in Kabul, Afghanistan, living with his father Baba. They have two servants, Ali and his son HassanRead MoreAnalysis Of The Kite Runner 1359 Words   |  6 Pages One major theme that is evident in The Kite Runner is that scars are reminders of life’s pain and regret, and, though you can ease the regret and the scars will fade, neither will completely go away. We all have regrets and always will, but though it will be a long hard process we can lessen them through redemption. The majority of The Kite Runner is about the narrator and protagonist, Amir. Almost all of the characters in The Kite Runner have scars, whether they are physical or emotional. BabaRead MoreThe Kite Runner Essay1321 Words   |  6 PagesWhat are the essential values and ideas presented in The Kite Runner? Analyse and assess how effective their representation is Hosseini has expressed copious essential values and ideas in his novel The Kite Runner (TKR) including Loyalty, Culture, Gender and Ethnicity and Atonement. Hosseini has expressed these through the combination of style, structure, characterisation, themes and setting. Due to the context of The Kite Runner, culture is an important idea presented because it has major significance

Diary Of An Irish Immigrant - 1951 Words

Brendan Ryan February 16th, 2017 Class 811 Period 3 The Diary of an Irish Immigrant Entry #1: Leaving Ireland. December 8th, 1892 It s so cold today. I sit on a suitcase packed for me, Norah. I am from a small town in Ireland called Cobh, and I live there with my mother, father and little sister. Glenn is my older brother, three years older than me. Oh, and I m sixteen. I guess you could call this feeling anxiety, but it really is more than that. It feels like I ll never come home, and I ll never see mother and father again. Everyone says (well, if you can call the newspaper editor and his wife everyone) that America is paved with gold and that endless opportunities await anyone who goes. But the stories I†¦show more content†¦It s dark, and I can t see what I am writing well at all, so excuse me if my penmanship is sloppy. I thought about it, and decided that I should record what s going on, because I don t want to become senile and forget everything once I get old. Glenn told me that he has arranged to get a job at a dock once we land. We are only a week or so in to our voyage, so I can t exactly sta rt complaining yet, seeing as we haven t even reached the halfway point in our journey. I m trying not to allow myself to look forward to living in America too much, in case it isn t all I hoped it would be. But I can t help it. I stand on the deck and picture being able to teach school, and have a job, and live in my own house... and I get get carried away, and then I remember that it could be a month before I am even able to become a citizen. All is I hear is stories of having absolute freedom in America, cleanliness, fairness, and equality. But most of all, I hear about money. It s everywhere, they say, ready for making your fortune whatever way you please. I m sorry, this entry must be shorter than most. I forgot to say that Glenn has fallen ill, but it seems like it s just a flu bug, and hopefully he will be better soon. Hopefully. Entry #3: This long journey better be worth it December 20th, 1893 I feel wretched from all the rocking and turning of the ship. I thought I d get used to it, but it feels like it s gotten ten times worse I feel like I can whine aboutShow MoreRelatedJacksonian Democracy750 Words   |  3 Pagesneeded to secure their rights as workers and Americans. In his Diary from 1828-1851, Phillip Hone recorded observations of what he noticed during two riots between the Irish and Americans. He also speaks about quarrels between the Irish and Blacks, and Blacks and Whites (E). It is important to understand what was happening between the Irish and Americans, and between the Irish and the Blacks. The Irish fleeing british overlords traveled to America in search of a new lifeRead More DBQ 1820s 1830s Essay733 Words   |  3 Pagesprotection needed to secure their rights as workers and Americans. In his Diary from 1828-1851, Phillip Hone recorded observations of what he noticed during two riots between the Irish and Americans. He also speaks about quarrels between the Irish and Blacks, and Blacks and Whites (E). It is important to understand what was happening between the Irish and Americans, and between the Irish and the Blacks. The Irish fleeing british overlords traveled to America in search of a new life, hopingRead MoreEssay about Taking a Closer Look at the Golding Sisters831 Words   |  4 Pagespopulation boom and an influx of foreign immigrants all trying their luck at making it rich. The new Australians had different cultures and varying religious practices. They sought for schools and places of prayer in their own languages (Dixon, 2005). Unemployment and financial struggles grew with this increasing population. Male dominance was considered the norm so women were left with unjust opportunities for unemployment and equality in the workplace (Womens Diaries, 1997). The Golding Sisters felt itRead MoreThe Long Way Home : An American Journey939 Words   |  4 Pagesauthor has many arguments and facts that he is trying to point out. â€Å"The only defensible war is a war is a war or defense† says Gilbert K. Chesterton. â€Å"The long way home an American journey† is about, The United States, always being a nation of immigrants and I say this because the U.S. had sta rted out with foreign nationalities such as the Caucasians because when they entered the U.S. they claimed â€Å"to be the first to find America†, â€Å"says Christopher Columbus.†(The Long Way Home) So in 1917 whenRead MoreTrace My Father s History1459 Words   |  6 Pagesfamily legend has always held that we were related to John F. Kennedy, so I assumed that we would be Irish, which, after much researching, proved to be true. My ancestor Thomas Kennedy immigrated to Canada alone around the age of 18 from Ireland and married a woman named Susannah. They had two children, John Andrew and Samuel, but Thomas disappeared randomly. Susannah would later write in her diary that she believed he left her for another woman and moved to another area of Canada. This event pushedRead More The Potato Famine Essay2687 Words   |  11 PagesOf the nineteenth century.† -Ian Gibson nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Irish-American. To some, this term merely designates one of the many ethnic groups which can be found in the United States; but to those who are Irish-American, it represents a people who faced a disaster of mammoth proportions and who managed to survive at great cost. The Great Hunger of 1845 changed, or more often, destroyed the lives of millions of Irish, causing them to seek refuge from poverty and starvation in other, moreRead More The Emporer Caesar Essay1496 Words   |  6 Pagesfamous as the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. His rise from a humble birth as a peasant boy to Emperor is a tale of bravery, adversity and ultimately triumph through faith. Julius Caesar was born as Groyxo Gaul in 54BC into an immigrant family in the back streets of Rome. Neither parent was rich. The German historian Guildo Horn noted: â€Å"Seine Mutter war ein Hamster und sein Vater, der von den Holunderbeeren gerochen wurde.† They were as flotsam and jetsam on the beach. His earlyRead MoreJacksonian Democracy1150 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Cult of True Womanhood, which essentially encouraged women to dedicate their lives to being good mothers and wives. Under the Jacksonian Democracy, Blacks and immigrants faced discrimination, as shown through their tendency to riot in cities. Philip Hone once addressed these in his diary, stating that, â€Å"dreadful riots between the Irish and the Americans have again disturbed the public peace†, and also that, â€Å"The spirit of riot and insubordination†¦has made its appearance in†¦Philadelphia, and appearsRead MoreJacksonian Dbq1652 Words   |  7 Pagesliberty and equality, the million s of women. Blacks, Native Americans, immigrants, and other minorities in America continued to languish in a society that ignored their rights. during the Age of Jackson, enslavement of Blacks, the ultimate form of inequality, was at a new high in America. At the same time, enormous disparities of wealth existed between rich merchants, industrialists and planters, and their lowly workers: immigrants. Blacks, and the common man. While these contradictions typified AmericaRead MoreEssay on The Donner Party Tragedy2584 Words   |  11 Pagestraveled by anyone for this purpose, not even by himself. In the following, the diaries of the Donner Party will be cited and combined with the information known about the situations. While the group was still in Springfield in preparation, it was extremely hard for many to move once more to the West, but it should be the last time. Virginia Reed, the 13 year old adopted daughter of James F. Reed, wrote in her diary: â€Å"My father, with tears in his eyes, tried to smile as one friend after another

Alcoholics Anonymous Free Essays

Metropolitan areas usually have specialized groups, based on such member characteristics as gender, length Of time in recovery, age, sexual orientation, profession, ethnicity, and language spoken† (CAST, 2008). Vast majorities of drug addiction treatment programs encourage the participation of self-help group therapy during and after formal treatment because the patients benefit from the social reinforcement that comes from peer discussion, while also helping to promote, achieve, and maintain drug-free and healthy lifestyles. The 12-Step Program is a uniquely, well-rounded phase of treatment that includes maintaining a close relationship with a sponsor who is experienced with self-discipline and long-term abstinence. We will write a custom essay sample on Alcoholics Anonymous or any similar topic only for you Order Now The meetings also incorporate skills such as helping others, taking responsibility for recovery, sharing personal experiences, and accepting the existence of a higher power. â€Å"Research has shown that when group therapy either is offered in conjunction with individualized drug counseling or is formatted to reflect the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy or contingency management, positive outcomes are achieved† (NADIA, 2012). The original 12 Step Guide was inspired and created in 1935 by pioneer AAA members. A couple years later, the two founders of AAA published a book based on their experiences, including both the failures and the successes. The book describes the original AAA philosophy and methods, along with establishing the Twelve Steps. Although it has been revised throughout the years, and continues to be updated, the Twelve Steps have remained intact as it carries on its stories of success from one group to the other. Nearly four decades of scientific research and clinical practice has taught us about many diverse and effective approaches to the treatment of drug addiction, resulting in the creation of overall manuals and guides throughout the years. The etiology of substance use disorders can be explained through a variety of social dynamics. Genetic factors have been studied most frequently with alcohol and tobacco use disorders. â€Å"Specific genes have been identified, but the interaction of these genes with the environment is key for understanding genetic contributions† (Kiering, 2014). More often than not, drugs are used as an escape – an escape from reality – and this temporary escape is used to avoid the negative feelings and bad moods which are known to be related to withdrawal symptoms. In addition, this also helps in explaining the frequency and pattern of relapse. â€Å"Many substances are used to alter mood (e. G. , to reduce tension of increase positive affect), and people with certain personality traits, such as those high in negative affect or low in constraint, are especially likely to use drugs† (Kiering, 2014). Neurological factors, including the brain’s reward pathways, seem to have an influence on the use of some substances in certain individuals. â€Å"Nearly all drugs, including alcohol, stimulate the dopamine system in the brain, which produces rewarding or pleasurable feelings. Incentive-assassination theory explains that the dopamine system becomes sensitive to the drug, as well as the cues associated with the drug (needles, rolling papers, etc. ). Sensitivity to these cues induces and strengthens wanting and craving for the drug’ (Kiering, 2014). Cognitive and psychological variables are also very important to detect, such as the expectations about the effects of drugs. When an individual believes, and expects, to have positive effects from a certain drug (e. G. , drinking alcohol to reduce Stress and anxiety), the likelihood that the individual will abuse the rug is extremely high. Coloratura factors also play a vital role in how frequently a substance is used, with family and friends being the most influential. A broken family home (e. G. , marital problems, parent/sibling alcohol or drug use, and legal or psychiatric problems) can have a tremendous negative effect on a child and the decisions they make. A lack of emotional support from parents is found to increase drug use, whereas the lack of parental monitoring if often associated with higher drug use (Kiering, 2014). The idea of being â€Å"popular† and having a ton of friends seems to be a moon goal for the majority of adolescents and young adults. Social influence is explained by the fact that having peers who drink, influences drinking behavior: however, it is also known that individuals will choose friends with drinking patterns similar to their own. While growing up, most of us have always been told to choose our friends wisely; however, they neglected to tell us how difficult this can be. The 1 2-Step program addresses the factors or causes that are responsible for, or related to, substance abuse by helping individuals to understand the concept of change. Processes of change are the covert and overt activities hat people engage in to alter affect, thinking, behavior, or relationships related to particular problems or patterns of living† (NADIA, 2012). The 12-Step Program helps by addressing a patient’s motivation and ability to change while building skills to resist drug use, replacing drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding activities, increasing social alternatives and behaviors that elicit old behaviors, as well as, improving problem-solving skills, and incorporating Sponsorship to help build, or rebuild, healthy interpersonal relationships. It has also been proven that participation in roof therapy, during and following treatment, can help maintain abstinence. A longitudinal study was conducted in 2011 among a U. S. National sample of people who were living in communal-living recovery/transition homes (Oxford Houses) and were also actively involved with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. â€Å"Categorical involvement in a set of 1 2-step activities and averaged summary scores of involvement were examined in relation to abstinence and self-efficacy for abstinence. Participants who were categorically involved in all 1 2-step activities reported significantly higher evils of abstinence and self-efficacy for abstinence at 1 year compared with those who were less involved† (Major, 2011). The results suggest that the 12- step program provides individuals with substance use disorders the resources they need for ongoing recovery. In 201 3, a longitudinal study, similar to the previous one, was conducted among a U. S. Sample of patients who were in the process of leaving treatment for substance use dependencies. Categorical involvement in a set of 1 2-step activities and summary scores of involvement from the Alcoholics Anonymous Affiliation Scale were examined in relation to continuous abstinence and aftercare (Oxford House or usual care) condition† (Major, 2013). The people who were actively involved and participated in the 12-step activities were significantly more likely to maintain and continue drug-free lifestyles after 2 years, vers us those who were less involved. Through these two studies, it is suggested that involvement in the 1 2-step program and living in settings, such as the Oxford Houses, are two important factors that are related to continuous abstinence (from both alcohol and illicit drugs) among people with substance use dependencies. Most recently, a study was done on stimulant drug abusers to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week combined group, which included individual 1 2-step facilitative intervention and 12-step meeting attendance and service. The study consisted of a â€Å"MultiMate randomized controlled trial, with assessments at baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment, and 3- and 6-month post- randomization follow-ups (Fiji)† (Donovan, 2014). It took place in several intensive outpatient substance treatment programs and it measured self- reports of substance use, 12-step attendance and activities, as well as a Urinalysis. The results were compared with treatment as usual (TAXI), sousing on the impact of incorporating the 1 2-step program into intensive outpatient drug treatment programs. Although it did associate with more days of use among those who were not achieving abstinence during this period, â€Å"STAGE-12 participants had lower Addiction Severity Index Drug Composite scores at and a significant reduction from baseline to the 3-month IF, attended 12-step meetings on a greater number of days during the early phase of active treatment, engaged in more other types of 12-step activities throughout the active treatment phase and the entire IF period, and had ore days of self-reported service at meetings from mid-treatment through the 6-month IF† (Donovan, 2014). More importantly, the study results indicate that individuals in a 12-step program had higher rates of meeting attendance and were involved in more related activities throughout the active treatment phase and the entire 6-month follow-up period. Being a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, myself, I absolutely recommend the 12-step program to anyone who is looking for help with their addictions. In 2012, was sentenced to do court-ordered drug counseling and it changed my life for the better. The 12-step program was originally signed for alcoholics, but throughout the years it has been known to help any type of drug addict. I was apprehensive about this at first, but I finally understood after my counselor explained that you just replace the word â€Å"alcohol† with your drug of choice. This is why you can now find individualized programs like Narcotics Anonymous, which cater to and revolve around the 12-steps. â€Å"Another benefit of mutual support group participation is that ‘helping helps the helper. Helping others by sharing experiences and providing support increases involvement in 12-Step groups, which in turn increases abstinence† (CAST, 2008). An agree, and have seen for myself, that helping truly does help the helper. Future research that has been recommended is â€Å"systematic encouragement and community access, which utilizes 12-step members as volunteers in a ‘buddy system’ that provides a bridge between formal treatment and community 12-step programs† (Donovan, 2013). Instead of just providing a list of meetings and encouraging attendance, which is the typical referral method, counselors should also introduce the individual to a current member of a 1 2-step program using an in-session telephone meeting in order to arrange attending meeting with him or her. Further studies on this idea will help to determine if there IS a significant difference in rates of attendance when being provided a guide between formal treatment and community 12-step programs, as opposed to just relying on will-power. These future studies could also help the effort to decrease the rates of recidivism in drug addicts by providing an extra step into the reintegration of inmates back into society. Overall, research over the past four decades has proven that active participation in any type of mutual support group, specifically the 12-step aerogram, has significantly increased the likelihood of maintaining a continuous, healthy, alcohol and drug-free lifestyle. In addition, â€Å"an important finding is that these abstinence rates increase with greater group participation† (CAST, 2008). How to cite Alcoholics Anonymous, Papers

Alcoholics Anonymous Free Essays

Metropolitan areas usually have specialized groups, based on such member characteristics as gender, length Of time in recovery, age, sexual orientation, profession, ethnicity, and language spoken† (CAST, 2008). Vast majorities of drug addiction treatment programs encourage the participation of self-help group therapy during and after formal treatment because the patients benefit from the social reinforcement that comes from peer discussion, while also helping to promote, achieve, and maintain drug-free and healthy lifestyles. The 12-Step Program is a uniquely, well-rounded phase of treatment that includes maintaining a close relationship with a sponsor who is experienced with self-discipline and long-term abstinence. We will write a custom essay sample on Alcoholics Anonymous or any similar topic only for you Order Now The meetings also incorporate skills such as helping others, taking responsibility for recovery, sharing personal experiences, and accepting the existence of a higher power. â€Å"Research has shown that when group therapy either is offered in conjunction with individualized drug counseling or is formatted to reflect the principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy or contingency management, positive outcomes are achieved† (NADIA, 2012). The original 12 Step Guide was inspired and created in 1935 by pioneer AAA members. A couple years later, the two founders of AAA published a book based on their experiences, including both the failures and the successes. The book describes the original AAA philosophy and methods, along with establishing the Twelve Steps. Although it has been revised throughout the years, and continues to be updated, the Twelve Steps have remained intact as it carries on its stories of success from one group to the other. Nearly four decades of scientific research and clinical practice has taught us about many diverse and effective approaches to the treatment of drug addiction, resulting in the creation of overall manuals and guides throughout the years. The etiology of substance use disorders can be explained through a variety of social dynamics. Genetic factors have been studied most frequently with alcohol and tobacco use disorders. â€Å"Specific genes have been identified, but the interaction of these genes with the environment is key for understanding genetic contributions† (Kiering, 2014). More often than not, drugs are used as an escape – an escape from reality – and this temporary escape is used to avoid the negative feelings and bad moods which are known to be related to withdrawal symptoms. In addition, this also helps in explaining the frequency and pattern of relapse. â€Å"Many substances are used to alter mood (e. G. , to reduce tension of increase positive affect), and people with certain personality traits, such as those high in negative affect or low in constraint, are especially likely to use drugs† (Kiering, 2014). Neurological factors, including the brain’s reward pathways, seem to have an influence on the use of some substances in certain individuals. â€Å"Nearly all drugs, including alcohol, stimulate the dopamine system in the brain, which produces rewarding or pleasurable feelings. Incentive-assassination theory explains that the dopamine system becomes sensitive to the drug, as well as the cues associated with the drug (needles, rolling papers, etc. ). Sensitivity to these cues induces and strengthens wanting and craving for the drug’ (Kiering, 2014). Cognitive and psychological variables are also very important to detect, such as the expectations about the effects of drugs. When an individual believes, and expects, to have positive effects from a certain drug (e. G. , drinking alcohol to reduce Stress and anxiety), the likelihood that the individual will abuse the rug is extremely high. Coloratura factors also play a vital role in how frequently a substance is used, with family and friends being the most influential. A broken family home (e. G. , marital problems, parent/sibling alcohol or drug use, and legal or psychiatric problems) can have a tremendous negative effect on a child and the decisions they make. A lack of emotional support from parents is found to increase drug use, whereas the lack of parental monitoring if often associated with higher drug use (Kiering, 2014). The idea of being â€Å"popular† and having a ton of friends seems to be a moon goal for the majority of adolescents and young adults. Social influence is explained by the fact that having peers who drink, influences drinking behavior: however, it is also known that individuals will choose friends with drinking patterns similar to their own. While growing up, most of us have always been told to choose our friends wisely; however, they neglected to tell us how difficult this can be. The 1 2-Step program addresses the factors or causes that are responsible for, or related to, substance abuse by helping individuals to understand the concept of change. Processes of change are the covert and overt activities hat people engage in to alter affect, thinking, behavior, or relationships related to particular problems or patterns of living† (NADIA, 2012). The 12-Step Program helps by addressing a patient’s motivation and ability to change while building skills to resist drug use, replacing drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding activities, increasing social alternatives and behaviors that elicit old behaviors, as well as, improving problem-solving skills, and incorporating Sponsorship to help build, or rebuild, healthy interpersonal relationships. It has also been proven that participation in roof therapy, during and following treatment, can help maintain abstinence. A longitudinal study was conducted in 2011 among a U. S. National sample of people who were living in communal-living recovery/transition homes (Oxford Houses) and were also actively involved with Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. â€Å"Categorical involvement in a set of 1 2-step activities and averaged summary scores of involvement were examined in relation to abstinence and self-efficacy for abstinence. Participants who were categorically involved in all 1 2-step activities reported significantly higher evils of abstinence and self-efficacy for abstinence at 1 year compared with those who were less involved† (Major, 2011). The results suggest that the 12- step program provides individuals with substance use disorders the resources they need for ongoing recovery. In 201 3, a longitudinal study, similar to the previous one, was conducted among a U. S. Sample of patients who were in the process of leaving treatment for substance use dependencies. Categorical involvement in a set of 1 2-step activities and summary scores of involvement from the Alcoholics Anonymous Affiliation Scale were examined in relation to continuous abstinence and aftercare (Oxford House or usual care) condition† (Major, 2013). The people who were actively involved and participated in the 12-step activities were significantly more likely to maintain and continue drug-free lifestyles after 2 years, vers us those who were less involved. Through these two studies, it is suggested that involvement in the 1 2-step program and living in settings, such as the Oxford Houses, are two important factors that are related to continuous abstinence (from both alcohol and illicit drugs) among people with substance use dependencies. Most recently, a study was done on stimulant drug abusers to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week combined group, which included individual 1 2-step facilitative intervention and 12-step meeting attendance and service. The study consisted of a â€Å"MultiMate randomized controlled trial, with assessments at baseline, mid-treatment, end of treatment, and 3- and 6-month post- randomization follow-ups (Fiji)† (Donovan, 2014). It took place in several intensive outpatient substance treatment programs and it measured self- reports of substance use, 12-step attendance and activities, as well as a Urinalysis. The results were compared with treatment as usual (TAXI), sousing on the impact of incorporating the 1 2-step program into intensive outpatient drug treatment programs. Although it did associate with more days of use among those who were not achieving abstinence during this period, â€Å"STAGE-12 participants had lower Addiction Severity Index Drug Composite scores at and a significant reduction from baseline to the 3-month IF, attended 12-step meetings on a greater number of days during the early phase of active treatment, engaged in more other types of 12-step activities throughout the active treatment phase and the entire IF period, and had ore days of self-reported service at meetings from mid-treatment through the 6-month IF† (Donovan, 2014). More importantly, the study results indicate that individuals in a 12-step program had higher rates of meeting attendance and were involved in more related activities throughout the active treatment phase and the entire 6-month follow-up period. Being a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, myself, I absolutely recommend the 12-step program to anyone who is looking for help with their addictions. In 2012, was sentenced to do court-ordered drug counseling and it changed my life for the better. The 12-step program was originally signed for alcoholics, but throughout the years it has been known to help any type of drug addict. I was apprehensive about this at first, but I finally understood after my counselor explained that you just replace the word â€Å"alcohol† with your drug of choice. This is why you can now find individualized programs like Narcotics Anonymous, which cater to and revolve around the 12-steps. â€Å"Another benefit of mutual support group participation is that ‘helping helps the helper. Helping others by sharing experiences and providing support increases involvement in 12-Step groups, which in turn increases abstinence† (CAST, 2008). An agree, and have seen for myself, that helping truly does help the helper. Future research that has been recommended is â€Å"systematic encouragement and community access, which utilizes 12-step members as volunteers in a ‘buddy system’ that provides a bridge between formal treatment and community 12-step programs† (Donovan, 2013). Instead of just providing a list of meetings and encouraging attendance, which is the typical referral method, counselors should also introduce the individual to a current member of a 1 2-step program using an in-session telephone meeting in order to arrange attending meeting with him or her. Further studies on this idea will help to determine if there IS a significant difference in rates of attendance when being provided a guide between formal treatment and community 12-step programs, as opposed to just relying on will-power. These future studies could also help the effort to decrease the rates of recidivism in drug addicts by providing an extra step into the reintegration of inmates back into society. Overall, research over the past four decades has proven that active participation in any type of mutual support group, specifically the 12-step aerogram, has significantly increased the likelihood of maintaining a continuous, healthy, alcohol and drug-free lifestyle. In addition, â€Å"an important finding is that these abstinence rates increase with greater group participation† (CAST, 2008). How to cite Alcoholics Anonymous, Papers