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Alcoholics Anonymous: In Times of Need My assignment was to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting and write my observations and thoughts on the meeting, its structure and philosophical beliefs. I was extremely uncomfortable about attending such a personal meeting. Would individuals welcome me or feel as if I would judge? Even though I was uncomfortable, I am glad I attended the meeting as it was a very enlightening experience for me. Enlightening in the fact it changed the way I look at addiction. Addiction is no longer an unidentifiable demon. It is individuals of all ages, races and ethnicities. It is desperation. Desperation to stay sober because you just started the journey, desperation to continue living a life where you feel worthy again, and desperation to lead others to a life that is better today than yesterday. Addiction is young adults, business owners, retired individuals and blue collar workers who have one thing in common…addition to a substance and the …show more content…
After speaking with several individuals, the first time they attended a meeting, they felt scared, alone and confused. However, after leaving, they had hope. Hope that tomorrow would be better than today. Hope they can make it another 24 hours without taking a drink. Because the individuals attending the meeting, are encouraged to take it “one day at a time”. More importantly, they have hope because they now have a social network they can rely on, relate to and connect with personally. Connecting is part of this wonderful Fellowship of men and women who share experiences, strengths and hope of a better, sober life. The philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous is that alcoholism is a disease and no one is “cured” even if they stop drinking. The members of this informal group focus on staying sober “one day at a time”. And, anyone who desires to stop drinking is welcomed into the
This was evident in the meeting as well. Of the ten members, only one was attending their first ever A.A. meeting (two others were attending their first Brown Bag Meeting). Ann declined to speak the first time they went around the circle, but she seemed very nervous. She later decided to speak, and related her experience to us. She had been sober for 10 days now, and when she woke
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.
AA’s founder Bill Wilson asserted that alcoholism is a spiritual disease with only one cure., AA believes that the one and only cure is by following, and living by the 12 step program. Alcohol Anonymous 12-step program derived from this type of thinking and from the very beginning, new members are taught that they are absolutely powerless to alcohol, and that the only way for you to be cured is for “a power greater than yourself could restore you to sanity”. AA members separate themselves from the rest of society, and attribute their drinking problems to every other aspect of their lives. There is a list of contributing factors to an individual’s disease, published by Bill Wilson. The list is roughly 25 aspects of every alcoholic’s life but Alcohol is never listed because in Mr. Wilson’s eyes it’s not the alcohol that is the problem. Instead it is the individual that has become a victim to the alcohol.
However, rather than treating an addiction like a disease, society treats addiction by stigmatizing the person like a failure, and criminal. Those who suffer with this disease, both the addict, and their friends and family, are usually isolated by judgment and embarrassment from others, who are unaware and ignorant to the issue. As a result, the disease sadly often goes unrecognized and untreated, especially among the poor, and those who are unable to get proper treatment. Once again, I am very happy after attending my second meeting, and it has an overall great experience. I wish more people were open to meetings to see how great and beneficial they are to all kinds of people, and this summer that is my goal to open others up to attending meetings that could help benefit
...ethnicity or culture; it happens to anyone such as, doctors, lawyers, teacher, judges, students and many more. My observation of the meeting was that every member seemed to really listen to each other’s sharing, where each member shared an experience, and others could relate to that particular experience or had similar experiences, such as struggling with promiscuous behavior or relapses in attending meetings, but they still stuck with the program because they wanted change in their lives. No one was rushed in their sharing, and everyone was opened and friendly. It was a cohesive group. I felt a sense of that openness, when I was introduced to everyone, and included at close of the meeting, where everyone one formed a circle, held hands and recited the serenity prayer. Overall, it was a new and knowledgeable experience Another Chance gave me.
...meeting was one of awe and some relief. This meeting made me realize that I should really appreciate the things that I have in life because there are others out there who are way off worse. What I learned from the meeting is that the problem is not how much you drink; it’s what happens when you drink. Getting clean and sober is for those who want it, not those who need it. The key step for addicts is to maintain a motivated way of thinking once you start feeling good about yourself from making amends. I believe 12-step sober support groups can be extremely beneficial to the person attempting abstinence. The premise is that one addict can best help another and that by helping another you actually help yourself. AA is a fundamental example of how groups support sobriety in individuals as long as they are willing to follow a program and commit to changing their habits.
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,
Attending an A.A meeting for anyone may be hard. According to, “Psychiatry and Wellness”, “Practically nobody looks forward to going to their first AA meeting.” Alcoholics or recovering addicts may feel the same way I felt when attending their first A.A meeting. Some alcoholics may feel worse than I did. Some alcoholics may feel ashamed to attend an A.A meetings. Some alcoholics may be scared or have fear to go to an A.A meeting because they do not know what to expect. The thought of attending an A.A meeting may be worse than actually attending an A.A
Substance addiction is becoming an epidemic. While some people can quit using a substance without any help, most people need help to their recovery. Narcotics anonymous is an important support group for our society. There are many different narcotic anonymous programs to join that have meetings throughout the week. The members of the support group all share one thing in common, they suffer from different types of chemical dependency. Members help each other because they have the same problems and worries that everyone in the room has. Though they may be struggling with different stages in their life, for the most part, they all relate to what each is going through. Just as AA, NA focuses on the 12-step program. The members of
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, alcoholism is defined as "the compulsive consumption of and psychophysiological dependence on alcoholic beverages." It is a problem that can tear apart marriages and families, cause someone to lose his job, and many more negative results. In order to recover from this dependency a person must lose his desire for and dependence upon alcohol, continue to remain sober, and resolve all conflicts caused by the alcohol abuse. There are several alternatives an alcoholic has to rehabilitate himself. The best solution is a combination of individual therapy and a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous.
The first meeting was large with approximately 12 members, including the facilitator. My initial emotion internalized was amazement in the structure of the group. The structure of the group provides structure for the members which is crucial for those struggling with alcoholism. The initial sharing was from a young member of 26 who was struggling with sobriety and shared that he recently lost a child through miscarriage. I immediately became overwhelmed in the rawness of his visible emotions (crying). As I observed other members while he was sharing his story, they were intently listening to him. When the sharer finished, the group acknowledged him and another sharer started with his name and “I am an alcoholic”. I appreciated the structure of this transition. The emotion seemed to fill the room and it impacted how everyone addressed their next sharing. The following members shared in the direction of the first sharer and related to the difficulties and provided advise. During the exchange of emotion between members, I continued to be overwhelmed with the emotions internally. The second meeting that I attended was smaller but still provided that set structure and “family” feel of group members. Emotion and exchange of emotion was present as well. I chose to attend this meeting twice because I was impressed and overwhelmed by the first meeting, I had to attend again to gain more
Alcoholics anonymous was first open in Akron Ohio in 1935 and has helped thousands of people around the world today. It was co- founded by Bill Wilson who also is an international mutual aid fellowship as well as Robert Holbrook Smith who went by the name “Dr. Bob Smith”. He was an American physician and surgeon who just like Bill Wilson helped co-found AA.
... than high school education. (Hayman, page 177). Alcoholism is an illness which cannot be cured but which can be arrested. Although it is difficult, more research should be done to determine under what circumstances and what types of alcoholics will benefit from Alcoholics Anonymous. Once more research is done defining the gap of men and women, and young and old alcoholics will be more clear.
Alcoholism is the intentional abuse of any form of alcohol. The practice of alcoholism is not only dangerous but also very unhealthy for the user. The guide lines that state alcohol abuse would be drinking every day or drinking too much at a time. If you are addicted to alcohol it can cause the breaking off in relationships, job loss, and legal issues. When you abuse alcohol, you continue to drink even though you know your drinking is the problem.
Ethanol, ethylic alcohol or simply alcohol is an organic substance with one or more hydroxil groups (-OH) [1]. For instance, it is used as a pharmaceutical compounds, in alcoholic beverages, as a dehydrating agent in labs and industries or as an antiseptic agent. Generally, ethanol is a CNS (central nervous system) depressant with anesthetic properties causing cognitive and motor damage at relatively low doses. Nevertheless ethanol in high doses can induce anesthetic effects, loss of sensory activity, nausea, vomiting, hypothermia and loss of consciousness. Some drugs have the potential to interact with alcohol and affect each others levels on blood, metabolism, absorption, distribution, excretion and change the colateral effects[2]. Additionally the duration of a regular consume and the amount ingested could change the effect of alcohol on drug metabolism [2].