Reflecting Back

          When this project first began I had no idea what to make of it. I had never read a blog seriously or even entertained the idea of it. My use of the internet was often very limited and non-resourceful; however, once I understood how we were supposed to carry out the project I began trekking much deeper into its depths and discovered all the brilliant assets it had to offer and affected my overall experience with this project.

            When researching for a genre of blog, I stumble upon the idea of blogs that assisted those in dire need of help and one topic that always concerned me. Alcohol is a major problem in the United States and I found that there were blogs available to aid those who struggle with it. One in particular was the AA Blog and all of its assets.

            By analyzing the AA Blog, I discovered how to break down the properties of blogs and similar things and find the deeper meaning. I was able to look at each of the simple actions that the blog demonstrated and find the reasoning for the action and the interpretation it could have on the audience. This opened up my mind to how many little details can make up one large actions and what it entails.

            By assigning a project of this sort it forced me to break from my usual trends and open up to a larger world of struggles aside from mine and those closest to me. It allowed me to understand that no matter the crisis someone may be going through, help can be found in unexpected place. The project as a whole was entirely beneficial to anyone who took it serious and carried it out in a rightful manner. For me to realize how deep you can dig into and analyze things will better me as a student and person in my years to come.

-John Fagel

With Recovery In Mind

          In the United States alone, alcoholics account for about 20% of all suicide victims (Statistics). In general, humanity as a whole tends to so often be lost and unaware as to which way to turn next with such problems. They choose to ignore their issues out of pure laziness. Laziness and ill intentions to receive help for struggles are some of the most unknown evils that plague this world. What the majority of people that suffer from these struggles are unaware of though, is that help is ready and waiting on their doorstep almost every second of the day now that technology is growing. For those struggling with substance abuse, the opportunity to recover through a supportive and nurturing environment can be found on the AA Blog and the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog, both permeating with easily accessible and accurate information.

            Right away, upon visiting the AA Blog, the blog emits ambience of a calm, relaxed, and welcoming environment for the viewer. The majority of the visual aesthetics of the blog that occupy the screen are derived from various shades of blue, which, Rodika Tchi notes, is often associated with clearness and healing according to the Feng Shui color theory. The first image that encroaches into view is that of a cloud. A vivacious cheerful cloud that draws the audience’s eye and sets the tone for the page as being soft and out of harm’s way. This could possibly file down the rough edges someone may have prior to the visit. The text of the blog itself is embedded on a white background in a soft grey text that is easy to focus upon. The white background goes hand-in-hand with the simple and tranquil design because it gives off an impression of pure clean brightness of spirit which should awaken and alert the reader of the importance of the text present (Birren 143). The design elements, though sometimes overlooked and neglected in plenty of sites, play an important role in the atmosphere generated by the AA Blog, and it gives the opportunity of a peace of mind through its soothing visual appearance.

            On the contrary, the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog radiates in vibrancy in order to receive attention and have viewers be aware of the information they are attempting to relay. Flagrantly visible upon visiting its webpage are lively colors of orange and green, both of which pull for recognition. According to Kendra Cherry, orange is known to be an energetic color; while green, on the other hand, has been proven through research to increase reading pace and understanding. Aside from just simply colors, the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog also possess images, such as an icon of a good-looking female with a headset on, which emanates a feeling that immediate help can be procured and sought out (Brian). It can be assumed that this sight is reaching out and trying to direct attention to their immediately involved idea for recovery from struggles with controlled substances.

The physically alerting aspects of the AA Blog gives off a demeanor that there is no danger present that could in any way harm the viewer, which is important. For them to know that they are safe, on an often treacherous internet world, could give them a sense of positive vibes and importance emitting from the blog. This seems to vaguely oppose the idea in the creation of the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog, which is clearly making an effort to be alerting and involved; however, on both of the blogs, there are no flagrant ads popping up distracting one from the direction the blog is aimed towards. There are no contests to win free prizes nestled into the corners to consume space and no seductive women on a side bar saying “click here to see more.” Everything is simple and to the point. Both of the blogs overall appeal gives viewers the sense that the creators knew of the crucial importance that the sights assets offered and wanted readers to be unaffected in their search for help.

Some would say that this simple of a design and lack of advertising causes the blogs to be amateur-like and ineffective. This is assumed since, by definition, being professional intends that you are being paid to do so. In contrast to that idea, both websites appear entirely competent and affective towards the goal they strive to accomplish. The AA Blog, in fact, does include advertisements; accordingly, they all apply to the overall goal of the website though and aid in the recovery of those struggling with alcoholism. Each of the advertisements present are specifically linked back to the blogs global recovery community, called In the Rooms. In the same boat, the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog does not carry any paid advertisement, but they do however, display links or ads to live chat rooms and other various notions to contact help immediately. Each of these blogs offer an accommodating layout to those who visit them and only display what is necessary.  

In addition to these ads, for further convenience to the viewer, each of the blogs consists of links that can be found throughout the entire right column of both pages. Each site implicates links to archives of the entire history of blog post, while the two blogs also offer different types of links. Conveniently, aside from just archives, the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog entails links to different categories of blog post as for the reader to discover just what type of writing could be most efficient for them to read. If they are interested in pills, then there is a category titled “prescription drug addiction,” or suppose they would like to hear what the blog author has to say on a specific prescription drug. The reader can then find a category entitled “OxyContin Addiction.” Likewise, the AA Blog also offers many useful links on the page such as certain categories of blog posts, but they also include a few others. The AA Blog’s page contains useful links to complementary blogs by authors who are in recovery, different pages throughout the blog, and American treatment centers.

In my opinion, the most accommodating aspect of the links found on the AA Blog is its list of treatment centers throughout the United States.  All 50 states are listed. Each with multiple treatment centers for each city within the states. These links redirect you to the complementary recovery site of the blog called In the Rooms, which the author of the AA Blog references towards in a positive manner (Dunn). By simply entering effortless information and signing up, free of charge, this site offers the ability to become a part of what they call “H.I.T.C.H.” This being an acronym for their message and purpose to fulfill through the site: Help. Inform. Touch. Connect. Heal (In the Rooms). This site is similar to that of Facebook in the sense of community, however it has a more meaningful motive. Here, all those who join become a part of an always supportive group of users that share similar struggles and can relate through experience to each other. An anonymous user particularly flourished from it and commented, “Even though I’ve only been clean for a few months, other members from InTheRooms never judged me. Instead, they accepted me and encouraged me to continue on my path to sobriety.” In addition to having the option to join this community, the site also offers the name, address, phone number, and a brief description of every treatment center in each city without ever having to sign-up for anything (Rehab). This option allows for immediate contact with people who can assist those in dire need. This feature of the AA Blog is a tremendously useful idea to help all those who do not think words from the author can help.

To ensure consistency, the footprints of both blogs can be traced back multiple years since they both contain dated archives. The AA Blog containing two and a half years of almost daily posting dating back to July 2008, and the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog dates back to October 2005, giving a sense of history to it (Dunn; In the Rooms). The reader can gain a sense of confidence about investing time in these blogs by observing through archives that each blog is consistently updated and reliable to continue its posting.

In addition to the AA Blog having interconnectedness with the design and other information throughout the site to fulfill its purpose, the blog also demonstrates its supportiveness for the reader through its writing. Plain and obvious for everyone to see, the author of the blog, Marc Dunn, posts a disclaimer that explains topics that his posts will encompass, the journey he has come from, and the purpose of what he is doing through this blog by mentioning:

It is my belief that the retelling of our experiences, what we have learned from them and how we have changed our lives in recovery is key to helping others. What I am about to do is share "how I became what I used to be like, what I used to be like, what happened, and what I am like now.”

 In specifics, this claim is universal, which, I believe, is brilliant. It allows for a broad spectrum of people to relate to his experiences and in turn coexist through what the author has conquered upon his journey. On the contrary, this is where the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog falls behind in striving towards the recovery of others through the blog post themselves. There is no section about the author, nothing to tell who is writing to you and what right or experience they have to be doing so, and they give no means of contacting the author to ask question about the post displayed. All it tells readers is that the name of the user posting the most recent blog entries is Brian. Taking these observations into account with the blog as a whole it can be concluded that this site it more about immediately helping addicts; while on the other side, the AA Blog makes it a point to nurture its readers as for them to gain a sense of trust from the blog.

To further this trust in the AA Blog, through an interview with the author of the blog I found that he was an ideal person to write to the audience that would visit his blog. Dunn was, currently is, and always will be an alcoholic due to his disease of alcoholism. Since his recovery to a state of sobriety through a 12 Step Program Dunn declared that his “…primary purpose is to stay sober and help others achieve sobriety.” This journey that he has traveled gives him the ability to achieve that overall goal by relating to and guiding those who read the blog through struggles or ordeals that he may have dealt with along his own voyage.

Within each of the blogs the perspective given by the post on the blog itself harmonizes with all of the ideals portrayed by the visual aspects and links seen throughout the page. Again though, since the two blogs look to accomplish the overall goal a bit differently the post are also written in different styles. While the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog’s current author, Brian, writes almost in a way to just simply inform and describe certain types of addiction or the process within, Dunn’s blog is a more metaphorical about psychological issues that addicts may experience. Found in the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog are a plethora of topics that the blog posts cover. Each of the post with a specific informative, and sometimes encouraging, purpose in mind.  Whether it be to tell of the dangers of a certain drug or to inform of certain struggles that can be encountered through recovering, the blog most often is aimed towards familiarizing and instructing readers on how to deal with situation they may find themselves in. The AA Blog conversely attempts to sooth the minds of readers while still doing its job to inform. Dunn primarily post writings from sacred texts, books, or other blogs and molds them into a more condensed and easily understood message that readers can grasp (Dunn). Many of these posts speak of struggles that an alcoholic, or any human, may deal with psychologically. For instance, a blog entry is posted entitle “The Power of Forgiveness.” Throughout the post it speaks metaphorically of forgiveness and the affect it can have on a person by comparing the taste of salt in a glass to the taste that same amount of salt in a large body of water. In general, the message he sums up is that we cannot always expect things to go according to our expectation, and when they do not, we cannot become bitter about the outcome. We should be as large lake is and absorb the wrongdoings that normally torment us without becoming upset and infuriated (Dunn). This is one of many powerful messages that the blog relays through its post to encourage and direct those who follow it.

Granted, these two blogs oppose each other in certain areas they still fight to spread one common goal, recovery. Both blogs agree that there is only one way to truly recover from a struggle with substance abuse and that is through the 12 Step Program. The 12 Step Program was created by two alcoholics name Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson with one intention: to recover from alcohol addiction (Frost 68;102). However, the program itself strives for a specific process to recovering whether you are dealing with alcohol or any other drugs. To recover one must take personal responsibility for all of the actions that have been done and involvement in actions currently and admit powerlessness. You must make amends with yourself and others for past misdeeds and those on the road ahead. Lastly, to continue always recovering one must further others along the same journey they have been traveling (Twelve Steps). These are reoccurring messages that both blogs stress and confidently state can aid those dealing with addiction. Both authors believe that this is the only way to recover, but they also play a part in assisting the readers themselves.

To ensure a positive environment on the AA Blog, Dunn looks individually at each comment posted on the blog and decides if the nature of the comment is helpful or detrimental towards the readers and their recovery. Consequently, this means there is little to no contrast within the blog because others opinions are not voiced at times. Some would say this takes away from the site and causes it to have a naive perspective, but this is what is different about Dunn’s blog and makes it unique. In most cases, blogs are largely attributed to the amount of feedback they receive that motivates the author to continue writing.  Nevertheless, he has continued writing this blog for about 1 year now with the sole purpose of assisting others without care for personal needs or accomplishment (Interview). However, the idea of recovery and its primary purpose does play a role in this. Through writing this blog, Dunn explains that it serves a symbiotic relationship between his readers and him, and that he is motivated by being of service to others by sharing what helps him stay sober. He continues by saying “It is God’s will that keeps me on this journey and the miracle of sobriety is to be shared…” In essence, if Dunn were to allow those who had negative remarks about the process of recovery or those involved in it, it could be potentially damaging towards the overall purpose of the blog. Opposing this idea, the Drug Addiction Treatment Blog is linked through Facebook and allows anyone who is a fan of “Lakeview: Addiction Treatment Center” to comment on each blog post. The blog, I believe, allows comments to be posted at will due to the belief that through community everyone may gain confidence for their struggles. The only difficulty with this is the idea that someone could distribute negative vibes to those who visit the actual fan page on Facebook. Though the ideas of each blog oppose one another in this sense, either could work; however, Dunn’s mediating role on the AA Blog appears to be a more fool proof design.  

In conclusion, addicts struggle constantly with living and making the right decision in simple day to day situations. Some believe that all is lost and choose to crumble back into the disease of addiction that has taken over their lives, while others seek recovery and freedom from their plague. Though each of these blogs fight to push readers towards the overall purpose in contrasting ways, the goal each of them strive towards is the same. They desire for everyone to find recovery from their addictions and continue on with the life they were given. Each of these blogs can show those who care to put forth the effort to conquer their struggles, whatever they maybe, can be found through the use of blogs and other sources found on the internet. With that being said, next time a problem is stirring, do not be lazy and push it aside. Search deep. Discover what it is that can help you free yourself from these tormenting obstacles, and be the best you possibly can be.

Works Cited

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Birren, Faber. Color Psychology Color Therapy. Secaucus: University Books Inc., 1961. Print.

Cherry, Kendra. “Color Psychology – Green.” Psychology - Complete Guide to Psychology for Students, Educators & Enthusiasts. The New York Times Company, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2009.

---. “Color Psychology - Orange.” Psychology - Complete Guide to Psychology for Students, Educators & Enthusiasts. The New York Times Company, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2009.

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---. “The Power of Forgiveness.” AA Blog. InTheRooms, 25 Nov. 2010. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.

---. E-mail interview. 21, 25 Nov. 2010.

Frost, Bob. "Clean and Sober: How Bill W. Founded Alcoholics Anonymous and Helped Millions." Biography 7.1 (2003): 66. 2003. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 27 Oct. 2010.

Brian, et al. Drug Addiction Treatment Blog. Recovery Connection, 29 Nov. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2010.

"Statistics on Alcoholics." Alcoholics Info. Integrity Business Systems and Solutions. Web. 20 Nov. 2010.

Tchi, Rodika. "Feng Shui Color Blue Tips - How to Use Color Blue in Feng Shui." Free Feng Shui Tips - How To Apply Feng Shui - Bedroom, Home, Color, Office, Garden Feng Shui. The New York Times Company, n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2010.

“The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.” Service Material from the General Service Office. A.A. World Services Inc. Web. 21 Nov. 2010.

In the Rooms: A Global Recovery Community. InTheRooms.com, 2008. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.

“Find a Rehab.” In the Rooms: A global Recovery Community. InTheRooms.com, 2008. Web. 15 Nov. 2010.