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Addiction recovery research paper
Addiction recovery research paper
Addiction recovery research paper
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Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be a long and bumpy road. Many people feel that it is impossible to overcome an alcohol addiction. Many people feel that is it easier to be an addict than to be a recovering addict. However, recovering from alcoholism is possible if one is ready to seek the help and support they need on their road to recovery. Recovery is taking the time to regain one’s normal mind, health and strength. Recovery is process. It takes time to stop the alcohol cravings and pressure to drink. For most, rehab and professional help is needed, while others can stop drinking on their own. Recovery never ends. After rehab, professional help or quitting on your own, many people still need help staying sober. A lot of time, recovering …show more content…
Before attending this meeting I tried to think of every excuse to get out of going to this meeting. I did not want to go, but I knew I had to. The thought of attending an A.A meeting made me feel as if I was something that I am not, an alcoholic. I was nervous and thought that people would judge me. I was worried that I would see someone I knew and then they would think I am an alcoholic. Once I arrived at the meeting, I felt even worse. I felt unconfutable and out of place. I did not know what to expect. Once I introduced myself and told the group what I was there for, I then felt as everyone thought I was there to judge them. For this reason I did not take any notes, but I did listen and observe. I was anxious for it to be over and did not want to be approached upon leaving. However, I did learn a little more about alcoholics and sobriety while I was …show more content…
I do not regret it because it was an experience that taught me something. After attending the A.A meeting I realized/learned that everyone was there for the same reason. Everyone was on a road to recovery, everyone had a desire to stop drinking and everyone was trying to stay sober. I learned the stories of those who had an alcohol dependence problems. Some stories where sadder than others. I learned the stories of why the people chose to get sober. Some stories consisted of trauma that occurred, some stories consisted of children and some stories simply consisted of change. I learned that it is important to share and express your feelings at A.A meetings. Most importantly, I learned that the people at the A.A meeting were not judgmental and they are very accepting to others. Attending an A.A meeting gave me an inside feel of how an alcoholic or recovering addict may feel when attending their first
Alcoholism is as prevalent in my family, as blood is in our veins. When previously asked to observe 12-step groups, I ritualistically flocked to Alcoholics Anonymous, without consideration of the possibility that other groups had any potential to make an impact on me. I always pride myself in my ability to identify as an individual that is not ensnared in alcoholism, but unfortunately am an individual that was highly tormented by alcoholism. Through observation of the group and how it processed, as well as identifying how I felt as a new attendee, I was able to understand why self-help, support groups are so vital for individuals in recovery. I finally realized, I too am in recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-step recovery program that has helped many people with alcohol problem. The meeting was very quiet and a chairperson started the meeting by introducing himself. He started by saying “ I am ___, an alcoholic.” He reads the AA preamble and asked a member to read how the meeting works from the “Alcoholic Anonymous” book, “12 Traditions”, and AA/support group guidelines was reviewed because there was a new member of the group. Every meeting is confidential what you see and hear cannot be shared to anyone,
Something that stood out to me during the meeting was that some attendees lived in fear for years after being sober. They wouldn’t come outside of their homes for the reasons being that they would use again or run into old friends that used to drink with them. Also, I found it interesting that every year group members come together to celebrate their years in sobriety. The celebration consists of a speaker, food, and fun. Overall, I really enjoyed sitting in on an AA meeting. As an aspiring social worker, this meeting helped me to understand that it is not easy to get over an addiction. Also, if I decide to work with substance abusers, there may be times where they may relapse. I would have to learn how to be patient and keep in mind that excessive use of substances can alter your brain and control your life.
One thing I admired about each of the individuals at the meeting was that all of them held their selves accountable to fight their addiction. Each one of these people could have been consumed with something else on that Wednesday night, but instead, they all choose to come together to become a better version of themselves. They stated that if they didn’t attend the meeting that night they would all feel more likely to fall back into their addictions. Many of them reported attending a meeting multiple times a week. Thus, I was impressed when learning how frequent NA meetings are held. One of the members had informed me that some groups will run every night of the week. Therefore, making it hard for someone to come up with an excuse to miss a
The meeting opened with the Serenity Prayer. We went around the room as the ten people who attended introduced themselves. We took turns reading from an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) book. Alcoholics Anonymous uses the same basics in recovery. A list was passed around during the reading for everyone to sign their names and give their phone numbers. The telephone is an important tool in OA for getting and giving support and reminding you that you are not alone. After reading for 20 minutes members shared their thought, experience, strength and hope. Each member had three minutes to express themselves. A bag was passed around for optional member contributions to help pay for additional book or other helpful material. The meeting ended with the OA Promise, “I Put My Hand in Yours,”. Everyone stood in a circle and held hands while saying the
The first thing that surprised me about the AA meeting was the attitudes and the amount of participation. Despite the benefit that can be derived from attending meetings and engaging in 12-Step activities, many individuals with SUDs are reluctant
It’s amazing how a horrific and negative life changing event can encourage and guide you in the path of your future. The end result may not be visible when it first takes place, but the process of a recovery can be extremely educational. You see, I was provided the opportunity of job shadowing firsthand the fields of athletic training and physical therapy due to a knee injury. I believe the majority of people would consider a severely damaged knee a dramatic setback in life. I was able to find the silver lining during the recovery.
As part of my community outreach makeup, I attended an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting in my hometown. It took place at the La Puente Center: 15911 Main Street, La Puente at 10:30 AM. I got to the La Puente Center and took a seat amongst the people that usually meet at this time. I introduced myself as a nursing student from Mount Saint Mary’s. I let everyone know that I was currently in a Mental Health class and as part of it I was to attend an AA meeting to see how these meetings were conducted and what their goals were. It was a group of individuals all looking to maintain their relationships, occupations, and lives in conjunction with their struggles with alcohol problems.
At the meeting it was clear that there was a specific agenda to follow from the second you walked in the door to the second you left. The meeting took place in the basement of the church. When arriving, a women stood welcoming everyone who walked into the door. The individuals knew immediately that I was a college student there to write a paper and instantly brought it to everyone’s attention by asking jokingly to not talk bad about them. Looking back I am a little bothered by them immediately assuming this. Although I was a college student there to write a paper, what if I was actually there to participate in the AA meeting? It made me wonder what happens to younger individuals looking for help and if they are turned off from meetings because of situations like this. They were still very welcoming but that initial impression...
Alcoholism treatment: Context, process, and outcome. Moos, Rudolf H.; Finney, John W.; Cronkite, Ruth C. New York, NY, US: Oxford University Press. (1990). xi 291 pp
Meetings with other drug dependent individuals is one strategy for treating a chemically dependent person as it provides support during the recovery process (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2016). Alcoholics Anonymous is a self-help organization that offers support, guidance, and information to alcohol dependent individuals (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2016). AA provides each new member with a sponsor that can be contacted for support day or night (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2016). New activities and social groups are also provided in AA programs (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman,
I continued on the twelve step recovery program and had decide to create a list of all the people I had harmed in the past and tried making amends as best as I could to each and every single one of them. I also had begun reading a lot of AA books which I believe really benefited me. Now I can honestly say that I have found a true peace of mind because I have a better understanding of what’s important in life, and I owe all my thanks to AA. Because of AA I have something to belong to, I have found new meaningful friendships. I have discovered that I can solve, or at least deal with any problem that may come along my way by using the wisdom I’ve found in the fellowship of AA. The people in AA really care about one another and I feel like I’ve
Alcoholism, the continued, excessive, and usually uncontrollable use of alcoholic drinks ,has many devastating effects on today's society. Whether it is their parents or the stranger on the street. When you are drinking your are not yourself! The destructive nature of alcoholism varies from drunk driving, extreme health problems to dysfunctional families enduring extreme pain and suffering. With continuous therapy the alcoholic and friends and family of the alcoholic can control the disease of alcoholism.
After going to AA weekly it's made me realize i'm not alone things for me can get better I've made my screw ups but now it's time to grow up. Do it for
“As ACA becomes a safe place for you, you will find freedom to express all the hurts and fears that you have keep inside and to free yourself from the shame and blame that are carry-overs from the past” (Children of Alcoholics.”)This group helps you recover from your abuse or your neglect as the child of an alcoholic and lets you forget those bad memories for a little while. Although you are in a environment when you are treated better as an individual then at home, those bad memories will always continue to be in your mind. All the help they get, the memories will always be with them and that’s sad to think